Alt Bike Culture - What was actually done to this bike?

Hey all,

Recently bought a cheap-o bike for commuting. The previous owner was really into custom frames, and he definitely did some work on this one. Since I'm so new to biking though, I don't really know what he did to it and I'd like to get some idea of what happened. I know he shorted the overall length of the bike by removing a middle portion of the frame and welding the pieces back together, but besides that I don't know much. A mechanic at my LBS said part it might have even been flipped upside down?

I swapped the handlebars, the saddle, and installed the rear rack and lights. For frame of reference, those are full sized 700 hybrid tires. I'm extremely curious about the frame though, so if anybody could help me out I'd be extremely grateful.

Looks like a goofy experiment at making a very short wheelbase bike. The overlap between the front wheel and the crank looks fairly dangerous. Small amounts of overlap between foot and wheel are acceptable but having the crank actualy overlap with the wheel would be bad news. I wouldnt trust the design or that any of the welding was done safely. I would NOT reccomend that you try using this as a commuter bike, salvage the components and build up a safe bike.

it was a womans step-through frame, now flipped upside-down. At least that is what it looks like

Just to expound on this theory a little, the bb was taken from where the seat post is now. seat post ears were put at the bottom of the seat tube and the bb (and entire rear triangle) were placed at the top of the seat tube. Down tube is now the top tube. I could be wrong, but that sure looks like what was done

it was a womans step-through frame, now flipped upside-down. At least that is what it looks like

Just to expound on this theory a little, the bb was taken from where the seat post is now. seat post ears were put at the bottom of the seat tube and the bb (and entire rear triangle) were placed at the top of the seat tube. Down tube is now the top tube. I could be wrong, but that sure looks like what was done

You could be right about that but what's with the huge angle difference between ST and HT??

Looks pretty scary at best!

If that were my bike.. I'd probably strip the frame of components, then chop up the tubes and make some wind chimes.... just sayin.

Looks like a goofy experiment at making a very short wheelbase bike. The overlap between the front wheel and the crank looks fairly dangerous. Small amounts of overlap between foot and wheel are acceptable but having the crank actualy overlap with the wheel would be bad news. I wouldnt trust the design or that any of the welding was done safely. I would NOT reccomend that you try using this as a commuter bike, salvage the components and build up a safe bike. +1 that bike is not safe.

You could be right about that but what's with the huge angle difference between ST and HT??

Looks pretty scary at best!actually, that was bothering me, but I couldn't figure out why. It turns out that I was wrong about it being upside-down. The head tube was removed, down tube cut off, and the top tube was inserted into the bottom head lug. The down tube is the top tube now though

so if the toe overlap doesn't kill you, and the ridiculous head angle doesn't kill you, the lack of ground clearance at the pedals is going to kill you. Don't pedal around any corners.

Yeah, definitely have had to adjust my riding style to use this bike. Even though its a bit awkward while turning, I'm definitely surprised to hear so much thats wrong with it as it really is a great smooth ride on flat pavement. Definitely felt that it wouldn't hold up to a commute though, so I'm in the market for another used bike purchase now. I'll probably keep this one for short trips to the store, and eventually scrap it for parts when I actually get the mechanical knowhow to make a bike!

I moved this to alt bike culture from framebuilding because I think it fits in a little better here.

Man you should try at least to get your money back. Buyer beware is one thing but the fact that he sold someone who is a beginner a totally unsafe bike is kinda low. I mean, it's not like it has a broken part, there is no fixing that to be a safe ride.

I could fix it, it would cost about $1k though.

I wish there were a bicycle protective services, and they would come and free this bike from it's torment ;)

That is a toy bike at best. The builder sold it because it was such a pig. Too short, bad angles and no telling if the frame is actually true. If you can balance on it okay, it might be good for bicycle polo, or parades.

Well, they say that your first bike is for teaching you what you should get for your second bike.

However, if you consider it strictly as an alt-bike, its great. :)