Bicycle Mechanics - Bikes you've built.

I dont know where to put this, it could go in a number of forums. But I figured it could be a nice change of pace for the mechanics forum to show some people what you can build when you put your mind to the task.

Lets see the bikes you have built from the ground up, pretty much frame up builds.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/hofmanday2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/Macneil2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/DSCN0750.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/dsrmx.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/other%20stuff/Steelhead1.jpg

And a few others I dont have pics of right now, but I'll try to get later. These arent as sophisticated as some of the road bikes and other bikes in here, but they were just as fun to build and i've had just as much fun on them.

wethepeople: I like the genrallee, got to get me new BMX at some point, jsut need to find the time to ride it so that I can justify buying a new one after so long away from the 20 inches.

Nearly done on my sinmgle speed convertion. Just need to buy some new ball bearings and rebuild.
http://thomasbrickell.googlepages.com/fixedgearconvertion.

bump ^^.

Just got this little fella rebuilt after bending the fork/cranks/blowing up the bottom bracket.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/hoffmanday1.jpg

I dont know where to put this, it could go in a number of forums. But I figured it could be a nice change of pace for the mechanics forum to show some people what you can build when you put your mind to the task.

Lets see the bikes you have built from the ground up, pretty much frame up builds.


OK, You asked for it...click on the images for details...
[CENTER]

http://sheldonbrown.org/brown/images/01brown-2-bar.jpg (http://sheldonbrown.org/brown)

http://sheldonbrown.org/images/otb.jpeg (http://sheldonbrown.org/otb.html)

http://sheldonbrown.org/raleigh-international/images/raleigh-int-nexus1.jpg (http://sheldonbrown.org/raleigh-international/index.html)

http://sheldonbrown.org/images/hercules-b.jpeg (http://sheldonbrown.org/hercules.html)

http://sheldonbrown.org/raleigh-twenty/images/raleigh-twenty-8-01.jpg (http://sheldonbrown.org/raleigh-twenty.html)

http://sheldonbrown.org/bass/index-one.html (http://sheldonbrown.org/bass/index.html)

http://sheldonbrown.org/gunnar/thumbnails/gunnar-asc.jpg (http://sheldonbrown.org/gunnar/index.htm)

http://sheldonbrown.org/thorn/images/thorn.jpg (http://sheldonbrown.org/thorn/index.html)
http://sheldonbrown.org/images/Solotand-BS.JPEG (http://sheldonbrown.org/bicycles.html)

Lots more on My Personal Bicycle Page (http://sheldonbrown.org/bicycles.html)

Wow! I don't know what to say.

Why are BMX seats tipped up wouldn't that hurt the nuts when you came back down on the seat? Or make you jail material

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/9369/sunp0014pb3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
I have had this bike down to bare frame quite a few times. The only stock parts are; The BB shells, the stem, and the basic frame. The fork is not stock. I play around with the setup alot, but I am liking this one.

To the OP: How well does that dual-suspension bike with the double-crown front (fourth picture down) ride? It looks very cool.

http://www.salt2salt.com/waitzpix/albums/bikes/FujiRoyale1.JPG
This is my homage to Sheldon's Raleigh International and San Jos8. It's a 1979-ish Fuji Royale with an 8-speed Shimano red-band Nexus hub. Sugino RD crank, 700cx25 wheels, Nitto bars, and the suicide levers from my 1973 Schwinn World Traveler complete the look. The front ring is 42 teeth, the rear is 19 although I might change that to an 18 over the winter. This rides like a dream.

Why are BMX seats tipped up wouldn't that hurt the nuts when you came back down on the seat? Or make you jail material

Since when do you really sit on a BMX seat other then when your waiting to drop into a half pipe or bowl? It's so you dont chafe your theighs or something when manualing, you never land on the seat.


To the OP: How well does that dual-suspension bike with the double-crown front (fourth picture down) ride? It looks very cool.

It rides very well, soaks up small things like washboard and big things like 20foot hucks nicely. Plus it has very little brake jack.

Since when do you really sit on a BMX seat other then when your waiting to drop into a half pipe or bowl? It's so you dont chafe your theighs or something when manualing, you never land on the seat.



So, uh why not just remove the seat altogether

Since when do you really sit on a BMX seat other then when your waiting to drop into a half pipe or bowl? It's so you dont chafe your theighs or something when manualing, you never land on the seat.



It rides very well, soaks up small things like washboard and big things like 20foot hucks nicely. Plus it has very little brake jack.

Yeah the only thing that drops into the bowl is my turd in the morning. Thanks for the cool BMX info I wish I had talent like that

http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/cruiser/cruiser-14-complete.jpg My very first build
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/FusiaBigFoot/NorcoBigFoot.jpg SS mania
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/BlackNorco/TheBlackNorco.jpg The dumpster dive
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/blueColarRaleigh/IMGP2872.jpg The work horse
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/chinook/IMGP2855.jpg Pet Project
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/planetXghost/IMGP2886.jpg My Dream bike (now desolved)
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/RaleighVector/Vector-profile.jpg Beater
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/schwinn/IMGP2907.jpg Random parts
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/specializedRockhopper/Specialized-painted.jpg Don't mind the disc.
http://closednode.net/pub/images/bicycles/bianchi/IMGP3188.JPG My pride and Joy fixie

Thanks to the pletora of information on the internet (including Mr. Browns inspirational SS manifesto), I've build up a platoon of Single speed bikes as well as others. All of these were stripped right down to the frame and rebuilt out of bike lust. Hurray bikes!

OK, You asked for it...click on the images for details...


Sheldon, I *love* that photo of you on the tandem, being both captain and stoker simultaneously! Great shot! Beautiful, creative bikes you have made too. All of you. What a great thread.

http://brian.starsurvivor.net/misc/cdale.jpg
http://brian.starsurvivor.net/misc/karate.jpg
http://brian.starsurvivor.net/misc/cycles/maverick.jpg
http://brian.starsurvivor.net/misc/cycles/paris.jpg
http://brian.starsurvivor.net/misc/cycles/yeti.jpg
http://www.starsurvivor.net/brian/cycles/steamroller.jpg
http://www.starsurvivor.net/brian/cycles/paramount/paramount.jpg
http://www.starsurvivor.net/brian/cycles/paramount/orbea.jpg
http://www.starsurvivor.net/brian/bikes/seven.jpg
http://www.starsurvivor.net/brian/bikes/trekTT.JPG

So, uh why not just remove the seat altogether

You never know went u get tired and want to sit? But the seats are also low and angled to keep them out of the way of tailwhips to.

it all started with these little guys though!
http://brian.starsurvivor.net/misc/psi1.jpg

So, uh why not just remove the seat altogether

seat= larger surface area for your junk to bounce off
no seat= hospital visits frequently

In rough chronological order:

Elmer
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/trek_oct2004_small.jpg (http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/trek_oct2004.jpg)

Sir Fixalot (rear wheel built by me)
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/fixalot_jun2005_small.jpg (http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/fixalot_jun2005.jpg)

Hephalocipede
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/heph_oct2006_small.jpg (http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/heph_oct2006.jpg)

Steely Dan (rear wheel recently rebuilt by me)
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/steely_dan_sep2006_small.jpg (http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/steely_dan_sep2006.jpg)

Lug Thife (both wheels built by me)
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/lug_thife_aug2006_small.jpg (http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/lug_thife_aug2006.jpg)

I also (re)built a bike for my girlfriend, including a repaint. Don't have a current photo of it though...

Oh, and to Sheldon Brown! I would never have tried fixed gear if you hadn't produced such a great guide to it :) I probably would never have gotten into bike mechanics at ALL without your site actually... thanks a ton :beer:

moxfyre, that second bikes bars is almost at homeless angle :P

it all started with these little guys though!
Hey frozin, I see you're in MD! What shop do ya wrench at?

moxfyre, that second bikes bars is almost at homeless angle :P
Ya ya ya :rolleyes: I've heard enough of that already ;) I bought bullhorns just cause they were "cool" without any idea of how they were supposed to be used. I set them up like a flat bar with bar-ends, and they were actually quite comfortable that way. I sold that bike over a year ago to pay for Steely Dan (the touring bike).

1. White Specialized Stumpjumper Pro. Replaced everything on the bike but hubs (both)

Parts list:
frame New frame
Fork Manitou Black
Headset Chris King
Front Derailer Shimano XTR
Rear Derailer Shimano XTR
Front wheel Stock hub/Mavic rim
Rear wheel Stock hub/mavic rim
Handle bar FSA riser
Seatpost Race Face Deus
Saddle Flite
Crank Race Face Turbine
Bottom Bracket Race Face
Pedals Shimano 520
Cassette Shimano XT
Brakes Avid Arch rivals
Stem Eaton magnesium
Levers/shifter Stock
Rack Delta disc rack
Grips Grab-on

2. Black Cannondale T800. Frame/fork original. Parts list:

Frame Complete bike
Headset Red Chris King
Front Derailer Stock
Rear Derailer Stock
Front wheel Phil Wood/Mavic
Rear wheel Phil Wood/Mavic
Handle bar Ritchey
Seatpost Race Face
Saddle Brooks B17N
Crank Race Face Turbine
Bottom Bracket Race Face
Pedals Shimano 520
Cassette Sram
Brakes Avid shorty 4
Stem Race Face
Levers/shifter Shimano 105
Rack, rear Tubus Cargo
Rack, front Tubus Tara
Tape Aztec
red bits Purely Custom
Pump Topeak
Computer mount Cateye
Bottle cages Zefal

Extras for touring
Bags, front Ortlieb
Bags, rear Ortlieb
Handlebar bag Ortlieb

3. Salsa Las Cruces. Parts list:

Frame Salsa Las Cruces
Headset Chris King
Front Derailer Ultegra
Rear Derailer XT
Front wheel Campy 36/Salsa Delgado
Rear wheel XT hub/Salsa Delgado
Tires Continental
Handle bar Salsa Bell Lap
Seatpost Eaton bar
Saddle Brooks Pro
Crank Ultegra triple
Bottom Bracket Shimano octalink
Pedals Shimano M520
Cassette Sram 11-34
Brakes Shimano canti
Stem Salsa SUP
Levers/shifter Shimano tiagra
Rack Tubus Vega/with light
Tape Salsa
Orange bits cap, plugs, valve cover
Pump Topeak Road Morph

The Salsa was a complete build from frame to bike. The other two were upgrades with replacement of all, or nearly all, parts.

Lets see here,
http://naughtylittlemonkey.org/bikeside.jpg
I didn't do too much building on that one. Replaced the bb, chainwheel, bars, stem, saddle, cog. I guess the only things I didn't do were the headset, cranks and brakes.

http://naughtylittlemonkey.org/nishiki1.jpg

I built this one from a bare frame. Almost all the parts came from the bianchi, whos frame was destroyed. I have since turned it into a geared bike for my brother. I should get new pictures of that.

http://naughtylittlemonkey.org/sintesi1.jpg
This one came as a complete bike but I stripped it mostly down and rebuilt it as a fixed gear. It now has new cranks and bars.

http://naughtylittlemonkey.org/maidenvoyage.jpg
This is my favorite. Built from a brand new, bare frame. Every part is new. Unfortunately, I didn't build the wheels, but I am in the process of building a set of tubulars for the track.

So, uh why not just remove the seat altogether

Have you ever ridden a bike without a seat? It just doesnt feel right. plus sometimes you sit down and coast around, like down a hill. Also when you land a trick and have to turn quickly, it's nice to have something to lean your theighs against other then a sharp seat tube.

Frozin: Those are some pretty crazy road bikes, the Pinarello is pretty sweet, i've always liked those, and the Orbea is nuts to. Plus, thats a nice BMX, you can learn quite abit just tooling around with them.

Most of the serious trials bikes I've seen are now seatless.

Yes, but they dont do tailwhips, whoppers or any other tricks that involve you or the bike spinning.

trials bikes: hopping around on to and off off things usually at very low speeds the seat can get in the way also never unestamate fashion (Which BMX is also has a lot of). Trials bikes always have had small seats but no seat is one step further, a little in terms of praticality for the pro and a little bit of style / fashion. That is my guess as to why trails bikes have no seat. You never see dirt jumping mountain bikes with out a seat.

BMX: more jumps e.t.c I find that you may start of with a level seat but in soon gets tilted back due to the position you are in when riding around and the heavy landings when you bump down on the seat*, due to the shape and size of a BMX 99% of the time you end on on the back of the seat. A seat is alo reguarly needed to lever against when doing many tricks and grabed. Also getting between places and crusing around you still want a seat.

Although both types of riding are not about speed and fittness as much as other types and rely on balence a lot trail and BMX are very diffrent sports.

* You never want anything over tight on a BMX (excepts wheels cranks e.t.c), if it is slightly loose and you crash it will shift, if you have it rock solid it tends to brake

Have you ever ridden a bike without a seat? It just doesnt feel right. plus sometimes you sit down and coast around, like down a hill. Also when you land a trick and have to turn quickly, it's nice to have something to lean your theighs against other then a sharp seat tube.

Frozin: Those are some pretty crazy road bikes, the Pinarello is pretty sweet, i've always liked those, and the Orbea is nuts to. Plus, thats a nice BMX, you can learn quite abit just tooling around with them.


moxfyre, I work at Bike Doctor in Arnold, pretty far from you but stop by sometime if you're ever in the area!

wtp, although i have been slacking on the bmx scene for years now, i love to keep up and i still ride a few times a week. before i worked at a shop i would build and fix everyones bike for them so i have to thank the bmx kids for getting me started. i'd still rather build up a 20" but sadly kids just don't need a shop to do that for them, because there are other kids just like me out there doing it instead!

moxfyre, that second bikes bars is almost at homeless angle :P

The winos that come into our LBS call those TWO FOUR bars.. "Cuz you can fit a case of beer in there".

(See sig links for details of each)

http://www.thecuda.com/hd_PB261273.JPG
Barracuda Mk.I (built from Centurion frame)

http://www.thecuda.com/tn_P6241645.JPG

http://www.thecuda.com/hd_DSCN1720.JPG
Gazelle Champion Mondial

http://www.thecuda.com/tn_P9260143.JPG
1986 Schwinn Passage

Don't have any photos of the rebuilt 1980 Schwinn Traveler I had that shows the full extent of the rebuild. Pieced together upgrade over about 4-5months.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/bikeshots035.jpg
Interloc Racing Design frame/Ouzo Pro fork, assorted bits. Fixed with the wonderful White Industries ENO eccentric rear hub. Faaaaaast and fun. Yep, the drops are hacked off; my preferred spot is on the hoods. I don't recall the last time I road in the drops, so they get cut on my bikes. Nope the seat isn't really at that angle; the pic just makes it look very odd. 17#

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/bikeshots047.jpg
Weyless-67 (the defunct Supergo's once housebrand frame name) with RS 160mm Domain fork. Front and rear with an extremely balanced feel, with travel a little over 6" at each end. Slightly shorter i2i rear shock, and slightly shorter fork than I was running have resulted in a lower BB height, while preserving the same seat and head angles. Feels much better this way. Has a 55mm stem on now instead of the 70mm pictured. 35# ride it all. Slow pedaling up, but worth it coming down.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/ilpompino.jpg
On-One il pompino crosser/commuter/dirt road play bike. Feels way better than the Crosscheck it replaced. Most of the time sports fenders, lights, and a rear rack. Yep, that's a headtube exteder on the bottom - gives me a slacker angle, paired with the 46cm wide bars, I love it. I've come to prefer slack and wide on my road bikes, considering I spend far more time on my mtbs. 21#

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/scrublover/bike%20shots/Peyto1.jpg
Peyto Cycles Wild Bill frame/RS Pike Team coil fork. The one. If I had to only have one ride, this would be it. Does DH lifted days. Long, high country above treeline epics. A little urban and hack skill DJ time. It does it all, and feels great doing so. Huge tire clearance, ability to run a shorter or longer fork. Now has the 70mm stem from the squishy bike on it, rather than the 90mm in the picture. I love this bike. 27#

Yep, the hardtail and the squishy both have Gravity Dropper Descencer posts - those aren't suspension posts. Greatest addition to my mtbs since adopting disc brakes. Well worth the slight weight increase. All are heavier than they could be. I'd rather have a bit more weight, and confidence in my equipment rather thant he worry about cr@p breaking when riding. Over half my mtb time is decently out there, and solo. Ya'll don't even want to know how big and heavy my Camelbak is!

With the exception of the mountain bike and the Garlatti, all of my bikes are built by me from the frame up. You can click my signature if you want to see them.

Here's my Surly Long Haul Trucker touring and commuting bicycle. I finished the build in late August. This is a fantastic ride!
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e400/grolby/100_0442.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e400/grolby/100_0444.jpg

First fixie.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v419/wethepeople101/projectfixie.jpg

wethepeople - hey, I recognize those cranks. Sugino No.6 or something like that right? They were stock on ma Centurion I picked up and built into the 'Barracuda Mk.I' I posted up the page a ways. Very interesting design for the time period. Too bad the rings were rivited in place.

'86 Trek 660 fixie. A lot of fun and a great bike, but the 19 inch frame was just too small for me. I donated it to the Sacto Bike Kitchen with the hope that a shorter person can use it.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/DSCN2252.jpg


'04 REI Novara Trionfo. Built up as a tri bike with Ultegra that I migrated from my Trek 5200 when it got a DA upgrade:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06017.jpg

'83 Caldaro. An eBay find, built with a mix of Record, Chorus, and Centaur 10speed stuff:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/August06028.jpg

So far:

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/6028/img0592lk8.th.jpg (http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0592lk8.jpg)

My '78 schwinn le tour III fixed gear w/ suicide hub. Stripped the complete bike down to the frame and rebuilt using different wheels and pedals. It's a bit different now, I've got both brakes on, different levers, different seat and some other little things.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8671/bike3tf.th.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bike3tf.jpg)

My singlespeed commuter. Started with the frame and BB. I kind of hate this bike. Basically it's never quite fit me right and I've spent too much $$ on it. It's actually a real solid, reliable commuter but I just loathe it. It's got different bars, steam, seat, pedals and crankset on it now.

To come is a 70's Nishiki International I built up for my wife- rebuilt mostly, and I'm building a mtb from a 99 trek 930 frame, and I'm rebuilding a motobecane grand jubile and some other stuff.

Amazing bikes Sheldon, but I have to admit my first thought was, "man, I wish I had that many broken-in Brooks laying around!"

[QUOTE=caloso]'86 Trek 660 fixie. A lot of fun and a great bike, but the 19 inch frame was just too small for me. I donated it to the Sacto Bike Kitchen with the hope that a shorter person can use it.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/DSCN2252.jpg

This bike is hot.

I likes.