Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - The Ghetto Gear Thread

Okay this a thread similar to DIY but very diff at the same time. It's for folks who are either creative and want to express it with something that is functional or for those on a budget or for those who just dont want to spend $ and decide to make/do something themselves when, what they make can be bought.

I "made" a paint job for my ride. I wrapped my frame in electric tape to keep look of the bike concealed since it was bright, neon type orange and i didn't it to catch a thiefs eye too quickly. The tape also made the bike look sexier(to me) with the contrasting colors and it keeps stratches away too.
Before:
36907
After:
36908
36909

Next is my fake fender made of water bottle plastic and electric/duck tape. Didn't feel like spending and wanted to be creative. Plus it ugly and can also be somewhat theft deterent.
36910
36911

double strap holder (duck tape)
36915

Top tube protector made of bar wrap and duck tape
36912

Innertube bar wrap (keep those extra flat tubes, they can be useful later on)
36913

But my fav of all is my custom designed bag made from water bottle plastic and safety pins to hold it up.
36914
36916

Ghetto on folks

huh. your "custom designed bag made from water bottle plastic and safety pins" looks an awful lot like a chrome bag. everything else just looks awful.

huh. your "custom designed bag made from water bottle plastic and safety pins" looks an awful lot like a chrome bag. everything else just looks awful.
i didn't say it would be pretty just something that you make yourself. For the bag of course i mean what is on it, hence the word "designed". duh

you're a tool. this is exactly like the diy thread but just crappier.

Wow... just wow! Your bike and your bag are awfully... busy!

I am all for DYI projects and not spending money just for the sake of spending money. BUT if you are going to go through the trouble of making DYI stuff at least make it as nice as you can. That's my .02¢

Ahh. Ghetto Gear, my bread and butter.

I have a pile of welded up fixed gear wheels/hubs, most with bent axles.

Homemade chainwhip = crobar + old bmx chain.
Bench grinder + 9/16" wrench = Schwinn pedal wrench (make it slimmer).
Old can of spraypaint + grips = easy install + adhesive that will last forever.
Old Schwinn seatpost too short? Stick the seat (male) end of one into the bottom end (female) of another, weld it together, hit it with the grinder and whalla extended seatpost that is pretty damn strong.
My old headlight was stolen, but the theif forgot my battery (really nice water bottle one), wired it up to a $10 bell headlight and it lasts forver on one charge.

you're a tool. this is exactly like the diy thread but just crappier.


+1

Do it yourself isn't anymore "DIY" if you spend less. You still "did it yourself".

I am all for DYI projects and not spending money just for the sake of spending money. BUT if you are going to go through the trouble of making DYI stuff at least make it as nice as you can. That's my .02¢

I have to disagree to a point. If you perfect everything that you do, you are never going to have time for any fun. Example: my tallbike, just made sure it was mechanically sound, sanded for 10 minutes, slapped some spraypaint on it and called it good. I could have spent weeks hand-filing every weld and then stripped the whole thing down to the bare metal, primered, then applied a nice basecoat/clearcoat finish, but was happy with it the way it was.

I think the difference is that you mention the trouble of DIY, but for some of us, this is the best part. The trouble is finding a new project :)

It's called ****ing ducT tape. For taping ducTS.

It is not a waterfowl-specific adhesive.

It's called ****ing ducT tape. For taping ducTS.

It is not a waterfowl-specific adhesive.

haha

I have to disagree to a point. If you perfect everything that you do, you are never going to have time for any fun. Example: my tallbike, just made sure it was mechanically sound, sanded for 10 minutes, slapped some spraypaint on it and called it good. I could have spent weeks hand-filing every weld and then stripped the whole thing down to the bare metal, primered, then applied a nice basecoat/clearcoat finish, but was happy with it the way it was.

I think the difference is that you mention the trouble of DIY, but for some of us, this is the best part. The trouble is finding a new project :)

There is also a point though when it becomes obvious that someone is *trying* to be as "ghetto DIY" as possible, defeating the whole purpose of what it's about. For instance, using 100 safety pins to hold **** to your bag is stupid for a million reasons. Using old tubes to wrap your bars is rediculous.. if you're that desperate, I'm sure you could get some used bar wrap from another bike, or even the LBS. When doing DIY things as ghetto as possible, when you have other/better options, turns into a gimmick, it's not cool anymore.

i think your bike would look 150x better (and wiegh a couple pounds less) if you just took some spray paint to it. or just leave it nice...

why take a nice bike and intentionally make it look crappy? that happens on it's own fast enough.

The best theft deterrent is proper locking technique. Any thief that is trying to steal your bike for the looks is smart enough to know under all that bull**** there is probably a decent bike. I mean, why else cover your bike in ****?

Using old tubes to wrap your bars is rediculous.

I kind of like using old tubes in the winter- the cork tape soaks up water, makes your hands cold, and rips really easily. Old tubes have good grip, and stand up well to wet conditions.

It's called ****ing ducT tape. For taping ducTS.

It is not a waterfowl-specific adhesive.

Actually you are completely wrong. Look up the history of duct tape instead of using your ignorant brain.

It was made for air ducts initially but didn't work. They named it duct tape because it works for anything but air ducts. Once forced air gets on the glue side it just air drys it out in no time.

Basically I'm telling you to think before you go off the handle...moron.

[****ing ducT tape]...dork

I kind of like using old tubes in the winter- the cork tape soaks up water, makes your hands cold, and rips really easily. Old tubes have good grip, and stand up well to wet conditions.

old tubes make for nice grips, especially if you have a smaller diameter bar. Plus one wrap of tube + a wrap or two of electrical tape makes for a nice little top tube protector.

There is also a point though when it becomes obvious that someone is *trying* to be as "ghetto DIY" as possible, defeating the whole purpose of what it's about. For instance, using 100 safety pins to hold **** to your bag is stupid for a million reasons. Using old tubes to wrap your bars is rediculous.. if you're that desperate, I'm sure you could get some used bar wrap from another bike, or even the LBS. When doing DIY things as ghetto as possible, when you have other/better options, turns into a gimmick, it's not cool anymore.

Thanks Derek, that is exactly what I was trying to get at in my original post. I am a firm believer if you are going to do something give it 110%. Don't half-a$$ something in an attempt to be one step ahead of everyone else.

It's called ****ing ducT tape. For taping ducTS.

It is not a waterfowl-specific adhesive.


uhm....http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/ducktape.JPG


is 'e 'avin a laff?

Duck is a brand, like Bandaid or Kleenex.
Unless he spent the extra money on the brand name, then he is wrong.
And after looking at how ghetto he wants everything to be, he probably saved himself the extra dollar.

But I could be wrong, and really don't care about the duck/duct arguement.

There are other things out there besides cork.

What difference does bar diameter have to do with what wrap you use?

I'm just saying that along with the other things, it just seems like he's "trying" to be ghetto... like those "anarcho punks" that live in rich neighborhoods, and get dropped off at shows by their parents in their benz SUV. If you can spend 350 bucks on a new bike, you should have been able to put some clamp on fenders on your old bike.

Duck is a brand, like Bandaid or Kleenex.
Unless he spent the extra money on the brand name, then he is wrong.
And after looking at how ghetto he wants everything to be, he probably saved himself the extra dollar.


pawn of the trademark industry.

So it's duct tape not duck tape?

ducks are way ghetto

Duct tape is a category of tape. "Duck Tape" is a brand.

Is anyone else ever offended when people that have never even seen a 'ghetto' (the use describing a economically downtrodden [sp?] area), use it to describe 'janky' or 'broke-down' or 'cheaply-made' stuff? I am.

BTW, I am not suggesting that this is the case with the OP. I'll leave you with NaughtybyNature to smooth it out:

"If you ain't ever been to the ghetto
Don't ever come to the ghetto
'Cause you ain't understand the ghetto
And stay the **** out of the ghetto
Why me?
(alright)"
-NaughtybyNature

Is anyone else ever offended when people that have never even seen a 'ghetto' (the use describing a economically downtrodden [sp?] area), use it to describe 'janky' or 'broke-down' or 'cheaply-made' stuff? I am.

BTW, I am not suggesting that this is the case with the OP. I'll leave you with NaughtybyNature to smooth it out:

"If you ain't ever been to the ghetto
Don't ever come to the ghetto
'Cause you ain't understand the ghetto
And stay the **** out of the ghetto
Why me?
(alright)"
-NaughtybyNature

no, not at all

I wonder if anyone ever gets offended when you assume that they have never seen a 'ghetto'

There are other things out there besides cork.

What difference does bar diameter have to do with what wrap you use?

.......If you can spend 350 bucks on a new bike, you should have been able to put some clamp on fenders on your old bike.

Smaller diameter bar (Example: 30 year old Schwinn drops) + thicker wrap (Example: an old tube) = more comfort for large hands.

For me, I get a wrap that doesn't soak up water, is free and meets my needs for winter riding (doesn't ice up and get slick).



As for your statement about the fenders:

Lemme get this, because you have a $350 bike, you should not fabricate a fender for your old bike? Whoa, bike Nazi?

IMO, do whatever you want, build whatever you want, have fun, and don't take **** from anyone.

i'm mostly just offended by ducks.

I wonder if anyone ever gets offended when you assume that they have never seen a 'ghetto'

Me too, since I never have assumed that.

Me too, since I never have assumed that.

then your previous comment was irrelevant

then your previous comment was irrelevant

you mean the one bemoaning the use of the word "ghetto" as an adjective, and then citing the lyrics of a song entitled "ghetto bastard?"

yea that's the one

Go easy on gyeswho guys, hes just doing his own thing in the usa and not hurting anyone. But Gyeswho my man, you will have to accept that normal people find your aesthetic hideous.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_Tape#Etymology

then your previous comment was irrelevant

How do you figure that? If you read my original post, I clearly state that I was not suggesting that I thought the original poster had never seen a ghetto. I am just questioning the rhetoric that people seem to pick up somewhere and start using freely, without stopping to think that it could be hurtful to someone or make them appear ignorant. Another example: 'wifebeater' to describe a tanktop. I say 'wifebeater' all the time - I am not innocent, and I am not passing judgement on anyone else... I am just saying that 'ghetto' used (in the way described above) by people that have never been to a ghetto bothers me for some reason. I think it's wrong. I think it is wrong, but I can deal with it. Hopefully, you can deal with me having that opinion and not claiming my previous comment as irrelevant. Ride bikes... ride bikes in the ghetto... have fun!

All y'all are getting cabin fever. Go ride.

pawn of the trademark industry.
ha. that was fantastic.

All y'all are getting cabin fever. Go ride.

yea i think youre right. this gross weather/snow/ice/slush/me falling into a puddle and getting soaked today has really gotten to me. let's just all be friends

you mean the one bemoaning the use of the word "ghetto" as an adjective, and then citing the lyrics of a song entitled "ghetto bastard?"

Ha... hopefully (but I am sure, not) this is my last defense. I quoted Naughty by Nature to liven up the original post (by me). I'm not angry. I don't live in a ghetto. I don't even really like Naughty by Nature.

However, I am pretty sure that the members of Naughty by Nature have seen a ghetto, and they know what a ghetto is. I'll talk this over with them on our next group ride and get back to you all.

Is anyone else ever offended when people that have never even seen a 'ghetto' (the use describing a economically downtrodden [sp?] area), use it to describe 'janky' or 'broke-down' or 'cheaply-made' stuff? I am.

BTW, I am not suggesting that this is the case with the OP. I'll leave you with NaughtybyNature to smooth it out:

"If you ain't ever been to the ghetto
Don't ever come to the ghetto
'Cause you ain't understand the ghetto
And stay the **** out of the ghetto
Why me?
(alright)"
-NaughtybyNature

i think i know something about bein in the ghetto as i i did grow up in it for 12yrs in harlem. im not taking it personally i understand what you sayin. dont chop me for my style for the other talkers, this is what i do because im being me. im not trying to make a style, this is my style.

what yall others taking it literally for. i dont judge you or say you trying to be something if you like doing what everyone else does too. if u like it, i respect u for that because you sticking by your guns and not caring what others think of you. i dont care if yall think im being fake or tryin to make a style. i like doing things like this because it makes me happy. why yall always gotta ruin things with your negativity. yall part of the reason why these threads be so wack because yall the true trolls because you take things way off topic with your judgements and closed mindedness.

i hear what you saying as to make it pretty if you do it yourself but im not making things to be a prized showcase. its for function not aestetics. if i wanted to make the bike pretty id buy something for it but its my goal to make it nice for me not what others like (okay maybe a little).


say what you mean then. don't duh me. i'll **** you all the way back to when you thought dr. dre was cool. you didn't design crap. i put my shoes on today; does that make them custom? your bike and your posts are failures.

you know you wrong to say something like (how would you like it if you had a daughter and someone told her she's a failure for looking a certain way or talking a diff way?) that and i respect your opinion but you need to stop actin hard over the net. i not trying to win a best post award or design a pop fad. i would like it if people participated in my posts without hate or judgement but there are always goin to be arrogant ppl like you who don't anything about creative. creativity isn't always beautiful, its in the eye of the beholder just like beauty. there are girls who you may think are totally hot i may say im not that attracted to her and vice versa. i wont shoot you down cuz you like that type of girl so why you hatin on me for? there are many that think DaVinci was a terrible artist while another group say opposite. you have you opinion, i have mine.

i know there are those on here who like to make things, pretty or not, that's why i put this up to see who else is out there. dont be such a square (this is for those who like to hate)

so what if i spelled something wrong. i dont know everything and i KNOW yall dont either so quit being so anal about things. i didn't see you on television for your infinite wisdom and knowledge. btw thank you for letting me know how this is spelled. i learned something new now.

i hope yall have a good day. i don't care if yall dont like what i did just show some respect like i do to you. i like what i did with my bike and that's all that matters.

Actually you are completely wrong. Look up the history of duct tape instead of using your ignorant brain.

It was made for air ducts initially but didn't work. They named it duct tape because it works for anything but air ducts. Once forced air gets on the glue side it just air drys it out in no time.

Basically I'm telling you to think before you go off the handle...moron.

[****ing ducT tape]...dork


try buying the stuff UL listed for ducts if thats what you are worrying about

i think i know something about bein in the ghetto as i i did grow up in it for 12yrs in harlem. im not taking it personally i understand what you sayin. dont chop me for my style for the other talkers, this is what i do because im being me. im not trying to make a style, this is my style.

ok thats all over with, we have determined that he did not mean YOU. But have you read all the other posts??

Ha... hopefully (but I am sure, not) this is my last defense. I quoted Naughty by Nature to liven up the original post (by me). I'm not angry. I don't live in a ghetto. I don't even really like Naughty by Nature.

However, I am pretty sure that the members of Naughty by Nature have seen a ghetto, and they know what a ghetto is. I'll talk this over with them on our next group ride and get back to you all.

haha, yeah. i think the sarcasm picks up a tinge of nasty whilst travelling through the tubes of the interweb. no venom intended, and i love that song.

i can't wait to go ride around in the slush.

john, wanna have a slushy ride tonight? i don't wanna go to the black cat, but i'm down to go out and get beat up when i try to act like my bike was meant to ride through anything.

ok thats all over with, we have determined that he did not mean YOU. But have you read all the other posts??

If he means me, how to you ASSUME that I am a male? I am, but still... that could be seen as offensive to somebody...:crash:

If he means me, how to you ASSUME that I am a male? I am, but still... that could be seen as offensive to somebody...:crash:

oh for crying out loud. let it go, really

john, wanna have a slushy ride tonight? i don't wanna go to the black cat, but i'm down to go out and get beat up when i try to act like my bike was meant to ride through anything.

sorry dude, don't think i'll have time. what with the intercourse.

maybe tomorrow if its still slushy.

ok thats all over with, we have determined that he did not mean YOU. But have you read all the other posts??

read again i had to edit it