Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Just picked this up for the girlfriend.

I needs work but it was cheap and it will let her see if see really likes this whole biking thing. I am going to be doing the work myself to the bike and wanted to see what direction you guys think I should go with it. I wan to keep it no mre then $150. Thanks
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w13/slow93si/IMG00011-20090606-1611.jpg

Unless you're looking for an ex-girlfriend, I'd fix those bars post haste.

i'd fix the bars as well. no use giving the illusion of comort- especially if it includes poor ergonomics.

Looks perfect as is bro!

lol.The bars are going to get fixed and re wrapped with real bar tape and I am going to be removing the lights and old school speedo

fix bars, clean bike.
get everything shifting.
ask her if she wants a kickstand
swap the saddle with something she'll like (she'll have to decide this)
get a good handlebar bag or saddlebag.

this can be done cheaply, but make sure it looks good. also, if she's going to ride at night, get a good headlight and taillight.

and I have that rack!

and I have that rack!


And for his efforts, he will soon have hers.

give her a new saddle, fix the handlebars... or get new drops altogether, and maybe new tires?
*shrugs*

Nice ****ing homeless an gle on those bars.

Nice ****ing homeless an gle on those bars.

They're called "BUM BARS" ok sir? :D

clean, tune, re-wrap bars, and throw a new seat on. you're good to go.

if it might be a long-term thing (the bike, that is), I'd throw on some nice tires (unless the ones on there are primo... hard to tell from the pic) and maybe some fenders? looks like a nice bike!

Did some cleaning, removed the lights, and put the bars back in its place. I need to get new tires on this thing forsure. They are all cracked and dry, but did hold air and was able to give it a lil ride.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w13/slow93si/IMG00017-20090608-1738.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w13/slow93si/IMG00018-20090608-1742.jpg

Cleaned up nicely. Seat post looks weird, but that's just coz I am used to riding less upright. How much did you pay for the bike if you don't mind my asking?

I don't mind at all. I paid $37. I am thinking about taking all the decals off and painting the butt ends of the tubes (I am not sure of the exact name for them) hot pink or just pink. Than I will get her pink tires and bar tape. What do you all think? Remember this is for my girlfriend.

$37, I wish I found bike deals like this. I don't go to thrift stores or garage sales enough. Of course, it's probably best I don't ... otherwise my apartment would look more like the bike garage it already is ...

I'd say change out the tires since you said they have dry rot. But beyond that probably just let her see if she is going to ride a lot. From a color perspective, I think hot pink would look garish against the maroon. But if she really gets into it, I bet you could do all sorts of neat things to that frame.

Yea I got it at a thrift store.

get some hoods.

Nice looking bike. I'm also glad to see that you legally purchased a bike for your girlfriend. Some people here just use a hacksaw to steal someone elses bike for their special lady... (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=549505)

The tube ends are referred to as "lugs" btw.

I found a red Centurion at a thrift store and I asked how much it was. Flat tires, dirty, loose chain. It didn't have a price tag so I asked a worker who proceeded to asking this other guy. After speaking Spanish for a second, they just made up some price. $150 for a bike with flat tires.

I'm not being an ass, but it looked like they were saving the bike for themselves.

Also, FWIW- here is a bike I built up for Mrs. HandsomeRyan-

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0787.jpg
(saddle had very weak springs, it looks like a funny angle but it was fine when seated.)

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0789.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0790.jpg

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0775.jpg

aw, you're a good boyfriend, I'm sure she'll love it. for sure let her pick the colors though.

nice looking bike. I'm also glad to see that you legally purchased a bike for your girlfriend. some people here just use a hacksaw to steal someone elses bike for their special lady... (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=549505)

lol.

What do you guys think about these rims?
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=204

eh i would stay away from looseball hubs. Just get some formula or other sealed bearing hubs. The problem w/ loose ball hubs is that you will end up having to do work on them later (especially if you ride in rain). Spend an extra 20 bucks now for less headache later.

What do you guys think about these rims?
http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=204

that's a good price.

Make sure you adjust saddle height for her. I see girls who are trying out "the whole biking thing" all the time with their saddle soooooo low that they can't get up any hills and learn to hate "the whole biking thing." Breaks my heart.

I don't mind at all. I paid $37. I am thinking about taking all the decals off and painting the butt ends of the tubes (I am not sure of the exact name for them) hot pink or just pink. Than I will get her pink tires and bar tape. What do you all think? Remember this is for my girlfriend.

Don't forget to get her a pink saddle, too. :) Terry Butterfly comes to mind. Pricey, but very WSD. Try going to http://www.teamestrogen.com They've got alot of WSD stuff and links to others. Another very cool thing would be to get her a 'skort'(skirt/short combo...VERY girly :thumb:), gloves(w/pink accents), bandana(pink, of course), helmet(white and pink) and a cyling top w/pink accents. You'll be BFOTC(Boyfriend of the Century). All of this will be a couple hundred, but one can present it over time...Birthday, Christmas and the ever popular 'just because'...:love: She'll be all gooey, guaranteed.

BTW, I did all this for my wife only in powder blue and as much as she said, "Oh, you shouldn't have spent the money". She wears the stuff everytime we ride. :p

Also, you might want to switch the wheelset to 700 as 27" tires will be impossible to find in pink. And if you can't find pink hoods go w/white. White brake pads are available, too. They're for bmxs', but will work w/the type of calipers on this bike. Try ebay or a bmx site. Good luck. She's going to LOVE this 'biking thing'...just stay on her left rear and NEVER pass her on a climb or leave her in the dust...they HATE that.

if i were your g/f i'd demand a good bike, an IRO heidi or something like that.

Also, FWIW- here is a bike I built up for Mrs. HandsomeRyan-

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h170/HandsomeRyan/IMG_0787.jpg

Is that a special waterbottle holder mount, or just a bent piece of metal (either way, the positioning is way sweet)

Well she got On the bike lastnight for the first time and loved it. I still need to do some work to it and am thinking about getting her some bull horns cause it seems like she was having a lil trouble with the drop downs. (but it also has been 4 yrs sence she has been on a bike). Thanks for all the info you guys have given and keep it coming.

Is that a special waterbottle holder mount, or just a bent piece of metal (either way, the positioning is way sweet)

Thanks. It's the stock front reflector mount with the reflector removed and a cage bolted to it. (I think I did have to bend it a bit to get it you stick straight up, I had to drill new holes in the bottle cage too.)