Murray Missile 

Yeah that's definitely not 3M, I Never messed with anything except 3M and Avery. The 3M is extremely flexible and the adhesive......... well, just make sure you have it lined up where you want it because you aren't getting it back off intact. The Avery is from the sign shop and it's pretty good stuff too, not quite 3M though. Do yourself a favor, use this stuff on something flat and buy the genuine 3M for the bike frame, you'll see the difference immediately. I've even stuck the 3M on rubber mudflaps and it's still on there 2 years later.

Velocivixen

@jyl - fantastic! Pictures please. Details too.

crank_addict

Hey John, very nice of you! Always a feel good moment watching a kid when they get a new bike.


However, your budget is way higher than mine and more fancy bike. Done many for very little cost, say compared to lunch or dinner money. Basically just my time investment which admit can take lots of. I probably take more time than needed but want it right including overtime in wheel truing. Yet most everything is free. Key is to make them reliable, scratch free, no rust and shining. That last part is important. Don't want to give the junk look and prefer the kid having something to be proud of.

If I wanted, could round up a dozen kid bikes per day. College town is always recycling bikes, but not the good lightweights we all prefer. Tossed away, abandon from apartments, garbage curb day, from the city refuse, etc. Goodwill has bikes starting at $5. On the pricier side, I've picked near new Schwinn's, Trek ATB's for $10 to $20. Any more and its time for new WallyMart sale bikes at $50-65, so the goal is better than big box and limit to a $30 total investment - tops. Nor do I resell. If I notice or hear of someones kid in need, thats where it goes.


I get some consumables direct from asian sources. For these bottom feeder builds, cost is too much from a LBS or even a big box store and breaks my budget. Other than tubes ($2-4 each), crazy how low parts cost plus shipped for free is, sealed baggies fly thru the postal to the door. I use two LBS (different towns) with bins full of spare's to piddly misc. screws, cables of all type, etc.. Now and then will drop parts off for them and whenever I need something, they let me dig thru and have. One thing especially good for the kids is to add rear derailleur guard. Often tempted to take and stockpile but only take what I need per project. Happy with the arrangement, all good folks and cause. Cheer's~

Lenton58 

A marvellous build, and a lovely gift for your daughter. The colour is great! You are a very lovely 'Papa'!

jyl

Well, the bike is done except for getting better reflective tape applied. I haven't been able to give it to the girl, because we are trying to surprise her and all week she has been at rehearsals for high school theatre. I might not be able to arrange the surprise unveiling, with her parents' help, until next weekend. But here are pictures of what she will be getting.

The bike in my dining room. The frame is from @Velocivixen, the wheelset and freewheel are from @nazcalines. I got a great deal on 32 mm Michelin Protek tires with reflective sidewalls. You can see that I applied some blue reflective tape but it is lifting off already, so I need to get the correct tape and re-do it later. I figure she'll bring the bike back for a tuneup in a week or so.



The drivetrain. Sugino cranks from the donor bike, polished a little. Ultegra RD from my pile. New chain. I've test ridden the bike, the chain doesn't drop off the chainring so we don't need a keeper. Pedals are from my pile. @michael k, I never did come over to get the other pedals/clips - decided she didn't need clips and would never use them. Thank you very much for the offer.



Cockpit. Alloy SR bars from @nazcalines, Shimano bar end shifter from a non-forum friend who traded me for some new tires, bar tape and lights from @Velocivixen.



Fenders are SKS that I bought. Brakes from donor bike. New Koolstop pads. I adjusted the brakes very tight to the rims, so that the turkey levers work well.



Terry saddle that I traded for with a friend; gave him a Gyes copy of a Brooks Swallow for this Terry and a Fizik. In my limited experience, these Terry saddles work well for most women.



The bike rides very nicely, smooth and comfortable, but still pretty quick.

See anything amiss? I still have a couple days to work on it!

I will take a photo of the actual "presentation" and post it, this weekend I hope.

CycleryNorth81

That bike is gorgeous. Perhaps a nice U lock to keep it from being stolen?

PatTheSlat 

Since it's being used as a non-bike-person's commuter, I'd suggest fitting a chain guard of some sort. Otherwise she runs the risk of pants getting caught in the chain or chainlube on the pant leg.

SloButWide 

A lovely bike, and an admirable act.

Slightly off topic, how do you treat minor paint dings? Just wax, clearcoat, touch up paint?

Velocivixen

@jyl - It's great! I think you mentioned in prior post about getting a U-lock. How about a nice PDW (or other quality) reflective ankle band to keep her pants out of the chain? I know kickstands make the bike heavier, so maybe give her that option or if she wants one later you can install.

jyl

I'm going to flatten out the saddle, get a U lock, install @Velocivixen kickstand, try to even out the cable housing (I would have sworn they were symmetrical). And fix the darned tape.

Might look for a chainring guard. Didn't find a chain guard in the used stuff bins. Anyway kids wear skinny jeans and yoga pants, pants fouling in chainring is a problem for us oldies not the kids nowadays.

Normally I touch up nicks with paint or clear nail polish. But the tape, if I'd gotten it on, would have covered all the nicks.

jyl

Finally delivered the bike to the young lady, or rather she came to our house and was led into the dining room where the surprise awaited.



Looks like pink is her color!

I really enjoyed this build, and meeting all of you in the process. Without your help, it would not have been possible.

Thanks Bike Forums!

daf1009

What a story...good karma points for the rest of your life!!! And a gorgeous build! All rolled into one!!!!! Wow!!!!

noglider 

Wow. That is not what I would call a budget build. It's a downright nice bike, and so well and completely equipped with lights, fenders, reflective stuff, really nice saddle. She better love it. And she better secure it well. She sure looks happy.

eastbay71

Wow look how happy she looked to get the bike! Nice work, the bike looks so much nicer than any big box store bike. I bet you felt great all day.

Velocivixen

@jyl - I am so happy that she likes it! She looks very happy.

noglider 

I have that saddle on my Lemond. It's pretty good.

RobbieTunes

I used to date low-budget high school girls.

I don't think that's quite the same thing going on here.

I would recommend, though, she get a mid-budget lock.
That is a target, as nice as that is.

Murray Missile 

Awesome job, that is a genuine smile of appreciation! Makes it all worth it doesn't it?

RobbieTunes

Some kids are already too cool for high school. Any kid with a mixte kind of fits that.

brianinc-ville

Great job!