gugie 

Seeing that this group is full of DIY types, I'm guessing there's a fair intersection of those that do some type of woodworking. They have their own gaggle of forums similar to this one. I used to frequent one. Every year they had a contest to see who could get the most out of a douglas fir 2X6 board (the type you'd get for construction out of Lowe's or Home Depot). Some are very creative.

I'm trying to figure out how to do the same here-take an old bike and modify it. It would have to be an old, steel bike that one can find in just about any local CL - or maybe a type of bike - say an MTB or "sports tourer", and specify the year or range of years and original price. There would be a budget. Everyone votes online. There would be a deadline.

I don't want to overthink this right now, figuring the collective wisdom of this forum could flesh this out better.

Discuss.

repechage

There have been a few "build offs" over the years here.
Many were creative, but the diversity of what was started with always seemed to show that some were just better hunters for the starting point.
In thinking about it, maybe starting with a model of bike that frequently is passed over and therefore low priced, such as an old rigid mtb. Or, what can you do with a Schwinn Varsity?

oddjob2

It's been done. Not saying there isn't room for another, but Summer time is short. Probably fall is better.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...challenge.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-favorite.html

3alarmer 

non-fixie 

Good point. And an excellent suggestion. The only thing standing in the way of my partication is that Varsities were never exported. (And for good reasons, I've been made to understand on this forum.)

3alarmer 

...so you have to spend good money on made to purpose boat anchors ? That's too bad.

Velocivixen

@gugie - are you getting antsy? Have you found your way to Cook Park from your place? If not I know someone who could show you a bike friendly route. Depending on who would show you the way it would be either be a "spirited" pace or a leisurely pace.

CliffordK

Aww.. heck, and I thought your challenge would be to build the best ridable bike using a 2x4

CliffordK

Oh, as far as contests, I'm getting ready for the Velo Cheapo 2016

But, a summer contest would be fun too.

repechage

That was an American centric example.
Rigid mtb.'s make it to Europe in any numbers?
Maybe a bike that came with fenders as standard as a starting point.

Pemetic2006

I'm glad you didn't mean a contest like the one in Seinfeld.

CliffordK

Rather than specify a brand, perhaps specify features that indicate a low-end or a target starting bike.

• Pressed Dropouts
• One piece cranks (or cottered cranks after cotterless was popular)
• Claw RD for 10-speed bikes.
• Vintage 1 & 3 sped bikes make an interesting class including the old Raleigh and related English bikes which I presume can be found ANYWHERE.,
• Takes a forklift to get it off of the ground.
• Steel Rims
• Fractional 26" tires, or 27" tires...

non-fixie 

There are a few, but the lack of any mountains higher than three meters in my country means they were only sold to show-offs.

Examples that come to mind that might have 'international boat anchor status' are the Raleigh Grand Prix and the Motobecane Prestige.

non-fixie 

Importing a heavy bike into Europe is one thing, but I don't think the dork disk and stem shifters will be allowed in.

devinfan

This sounds awesome. I have a great starting point and am in if this is the criteria. I don't have one but rigid mountain bike would be fun too.

rhm

Oh, no, perish the thought

That would be like bringing coals to Newcastle. Life would go on, believe me, but what good would living do me?

rootboy 

I'm leaning toward the two by four.

jetboy 

no good. can't get 2x4s in europe. only 50 x 100mm... totally different thing.

but sounds fun: I do have a varsity I picked up for free that could go right to this contest.

since we are handicapping the material- perhaps we should do the tools as well? No computer lathes people! you can only use:

1. Hammer
2. sledge hammer
3. ball-peen hammer
4. pick-axe
5. splitting maul

oddjob2

A bike built out of 2 x 4s?

nlerner

One way to ensure a relatively even starting point would be to require participants to have to buy the bike (or frameset) on CL at no more than some arbitrary amount. I'm not sure how quite to deal with those of us who have deep parts bins (yes, I'm a hoarder) other than to not allow the use of any part that wasn't purchased specifically for this build.

jetboy 

yeah, overthinking it just makes it less fun. why not: old clunker (we all know what they are without getting too specific) that's total "build" cost is not more than $50 including initial purchase.

Build cost does NOT include the time put in by participant, but does include equivalent value of parts, supplies, and time and access to specialized equipment.

that way if you are a parts hoarder - even if you got the parts for free- you would have to include fair market value (or a bit below for quick sale!) for the part you used.

nlerner

That's pretty much how the previous Velo Cheapos were run.

gugie 

Velo Cheapo, now I remember, I was just getting active then.

I think it's a good idea to let the summer be time to ride, and prepare our thoughts for Velo Cheapo 2016!

On the other hand, making a bike out of a 2x4...

CliffordK

No CNC's here.
One of my lathes was originally owned by the US Navy during WWII.
The bushings weren't designed for 3/4 century worth of use... I think it was expected to become an artificial reef in the Atlantic.

As far as bikes... depending on the way the contest goes...
I have my eyes on a Dutchess 10-speed that was given to me a while ago.

Or, perhaps a Mercier that I snagged recently that needs a little Mercy, but if done right, it would be a pretty sweet classic bike.

jetboy 

i got my plan already- I am going to combine the contests and take a schwinn varsity and a 2x4 and make something out of it.

that might actually be a good idea for it:

RULES:

you must use:

1. an old clunker bicycle
2. a 2x4 (or 50x100mm)

You have 1 month and limit of $50 (including 2x4)