Tips on Clark Kent-ifying Your Bike
06-16-08, 12:05 AM
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Tips on Clark Kent-ifying Your Bike
Haven't commuted regularly since I started school because I got a scooter that gets 100mpg which makes the bike and bus ride more expensive by about ten bucks per week. However, my school just made a deal with the bus company where if you show your school ID any bus trip is free. Add this to the fact that a years worth of not commuting and being a total bookworm has given me a wonderful marshmallow consistency around my midsection, and the solution is obvious. 
So, this idea of uglifying a functional ride is nothing new to me, but I figured it would be helpful to all the folks doing the same thing. Some of the stuff I've done to the bike so far:
1. Took off the Brooks and used my other favorite, a Selle San Linea "Ergo" saddle which was my favorite until I got the Brooks. Kind of tired of bringing the plastic bag everywhere I go for the Brooks, also, a plain black saddle draws attention to some of the more expensive parts on the bike.
2. Strip of inner tube cut down the middle and zip-tied around top tube for protection. I am so anal about scraping up the paint or powdercoat on a bike, and it seems the top tube and eyelets just seem to want it.
3.Took off the brand new Sugino triple and replaced it with an old Sugino crank I got from a Le Tour. Single chainring with bashguard, single downtube shifter for the rear (8-speed) mountain cassette. Other shifter boss is covered with a bell.
4. I have always been a big fan of those Cheng Shin tires everybody hates on, the kind that you can find at any department store. Sure they are not as light as Michelins, they are also very durable. My current set is 26x2.25 I got off an Electra Townie. Heavy and very comfortable.
5. Stripped off the Surly logoes. They were fugly anyway, but the less expensive brand-names, the better. I wish I could cover up the Chris King on my headset.
Any other tips? (I've got good locks, BTW.)
So, this idea of uglifying a functional ride is nothing new to me, but I figured it would be helpful to all the folks doing the same thing. Some of the stuff I've done to the bike so far:
1. Took off the Brooks and used my other favorite, a Selle San Linea "Ergo" saddle which was my favorite until I got the Brooks. Kind of tired of bringing the plastic bag everywhere I go for the Brooks, also, a plain black saddle draws attention to some of the more expensive parts on the bike.
2. Strip of inner tube cut down the middle and zip-tied around top tube for protection. I am so anal about scraping up the paint or powdercoat on a bike, and it seems the top tube and eyelets just seem to want it.
3.Took off the brand new Sugino triple and replaced it with an old Sugino crank I got from a Le Tour. Single chainring with bashguard, single downtube shifter for the rear (8-speed) mountain cassette. Other shifter boss is covered with a bell.
4. I have always been a big fan of those Cheng Shin tires everybody hates on, the kind that you can find at any department store. Sure they are not as light as Michelins, they are also very durable. My current set is 26x2.25 I got off an Electra Townie. Heavy and very comfortable.
5. Stripped off the Surly logoes. They were fugly anyway, but the less expensive brand-names, the better. I wish I could cover up the Chris King on my headset.
Any other tips? (I've got good locks, BTW.)
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06-16-08, 12:13 AM
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I like my car
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With just the inner tube and stripped logos, I think you're quite fine... that's already most of the "bling" on a bike right there, at least at first glance.
06-16-08, 03:04 AM
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06-16-08, 08:23 AM
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Who farted?
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Haven't commuted regularly since I started school because I got a scooter that gets 100mpg which makes the bike and bus ride more expensive by about ten bucks per week. However, my school just made a deal with the bus company where if you show your school ID any bus trip is free. Add this to the fact that a years worth of not commuting and being a total bookworm has given me a wonderful marshmallow consistency around my midsection, and the solution is obvious.
So, this idea of uglifying a functional ride is nothing new to me, but I figured it would be helpful to all the folks doing the same thing. Some of the stuff I've done to the bike so far:
1. Took off the Brooks and used my other favorite, a Selle San Linea "Ergo" saddle which was my favorite until I got the Brooks. Kind of tired of bringing the plastic bag everywhere I go for the Brooks, also, a plain black saddle draws attention to some of the more expensive parts on the bike.
2. Strip of inner tube cut down the middle and zip-tied around top tube for protection. I am so anal about scraping up the paint or powdercoat on a bike, and it seems the top tube and eyelets just seem to want it.
3.Took off the brand new Sugino triple and replaced it with an old Sugino crank I got from a Le Tour. Single chainring with bashguard, single downtube shifter for the rear (8-speed) mountain cassette. Other shifter boss is covered with a bell.
4. I have always been a big fan of those Cheng Shin tires everybody hates on, the kind that you can find at any department store. Sure they are not as light as Michelins, they are also very durable. My current set is 26x2.25 I got off an Electra Townie. Heavy and very comfortable.
5. Stripped off the Surly logoes. They were fugly anyway, but the less expensive brand-names, the better. I wish I could cover up the Chris King on my headset.
Any other tips? (I've got good locks, BTW.)
So, this idea of uglifying a functional ride is nothing new to me, but I figured it would be helpful to all the folks doing the same thing. Some of the stuff I've done to the bike so far:
1. Took off the Brooks and used my other favorite, a Selle San Linea "Ergo" saddle which was my favorite until I got the Brooks. Kind of tired of bringing the plastic bag everywhere I go for the Brooks, also, a plain black saddle draws attention to some of the more expensive parts on the bike.
2. Strip of inner tube cut down the middle and zip-tied around top tube for protection. I am so anal about scraping up the paint or powdercoat on a bike, and it seems the top tube and eyelets just seem to want it.
3.Took off the brand new Sugino triple and replaced it with an old Sugino crank I got from a Le Tour. Single chainring with bashguard, single downtube shifter for the rear (8-speed) mountain cassette. Other shifter boss is covered with a bell.
4. I have always been a big fan of those Cheng Shin tires everybody hates on, the kind that you can find at any department store. Sure they are not as light as Michelins, they are also very durable. My current set is 26x2.25 I got off an Electra Townie. Heavy and very comfortable.
5. Stripped off the Surly logoes. They were fugly anyway, but the less expensive brand-names, the better. I wish I could cover up the Chris King on my headset.
Any other tips? (I've got good locks, BTW.)
Yeah, find some "Huffy" or "RoadMaster" or even "Next" decals.
06-16-08, 08:25 AM
#6
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Besides a good stout shackle and a cable the best way to protect your bike is to add drop bars.
06-16-08, 09:57 AM
#7
It's true, man.
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make a couple of sleeves like fat rubber bands out of an old MTB tube and slip 'em over the headset cups
