chapel

So, I've finally dropped down to a weight in which I deem "light enough to not crush a bike". Having been at 325lbs not too long ago, I'm now down to 220-ish (sorta hovering between 216 and 222).
I've been looking at an exercise regimen that will keep me entertained and I do enjoy cycling. At least I did when I had a bike.


The first thing I did was yank my old mountain bike out of the bog I had thrown it in:

unfortunately, 15 years in a bog doesn't do kind things to bikes...
Needs a new gearset. Headset. Pedals. Chain. Seat. Probably wheels. Tires. I think only the frame is salvageable.


Let down by my tossing of a perfectly good bike, I started purusing CL.
Ok, so seriously, what the **** is going on at CL? why are people asking $400 for a bike that sold for $600 in 1995? Do bikes hold their value that well? Why would I pay $400 for a 1993 Specialized Rock Hopper when I can get a 2013 Hard Rock for $440?


My attempts to locate a bike under the magic $100 number that were my size proved futile. Lots of garbage Walmart/Target bikes that I only read horror stories about. I grew up with brand name bikes, and I damn sure wasn't going to have a bike break on me because I cheaped out.


There was another bike at home (home being my dad's house)... but it wasn't a mountain bike... it was one of those god-forsaken road bikes. I never owned a road bike. This was my brother's. I was never a fan of the skinny bikes... mainly because I was always a fat kid. I preferred riding mountain bikes and BMX. Skinny bikes were for skilly people like my brother. I didn't have high hopes for it because it was from 1987 and I'm taller than my brother, so I figured it would be WAY too small for me. I didn't know much about it either, so I figured it was a lost cause. Either way, I tromped over to my dad's house, dug my way to the back of the packed shed and struggled to yank the bike out from a tangle of abandoned workout equipment.


What I pulled out was somewhat surprising to me. It was absolutely filthy. Probably a half inch thick layer of grime from being in the shed for easily 20 years. The tires were dry rotted... but that seemed to be about it besides the filth. I snapped a photo of it:



A 1987 Centurion Sport DLX.


I was ready to straddle it, but I was in my work clothes and I didn't want to ruin my pants... so I ran inside to get something to clean it with and I put on my bathing suit which I leave at my dad's house because he's got a pool. I expected the grime to be baked on... it wasn't. A few quick wipes showed that it was willing to be a clean bike. Here's the bike after a 5 minute wash with some water and a crappy sponge.





Once I cleaned it up enough, I threw a leg over it... it actually seems to be the right size for me






well ****. I guess I should try being a skinny bike rider.


Throughout this whole thing, I'm snapping photos and throwing them to my friends who are Cyclocross people (Slonie, namely) and they were telling me some things I needed to know. I tested the brakes, the cables seemed in good shape. I tested the shifter. They all worked smoothly. I was really surprised how it worked. So, I had the guys give me a parts list of things to buy:


Brake pads - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CJZ2S8/..._26725410_item
Tubes - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOA14G/..._26725410_item
CX Tires - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A0KZ1O/..._26725410_item
Rim Tape - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AYCJ6S/..._26725410_item
Tire Levers - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IZGFCE/..._26725410_item


Parts should arrive by this weekend. My brother-in-law is a pretty serious cyclist and he's going to help me go over it to make sure it's safe to ride.


I hope the tires fit. That's the only unknown right now.
If it all goes together and the brake and gear lines aren't rotten, I should be riding by Sunday. I'm excited.

rumrunn6

doesn't look like you have too much clearance in the stand-over my friend. but if it works, great. you might also consider doing the cables and bearings and having a pro take a spin with the wheels to true them up, that should only be about $10 a wheel. party on Garth!

btw, I was never a swimmer or a runner in my youth, but in my 40s with a new body transforming, they were not too hard to tackle. you're gonna make a fine roadie

10 Wheels

When you wear those tires out, get some slick ones with no tread.

calyth

No such thing as "real cycling". Cycling is cycling.

Might want to oil up that chain - the drive train might be something I'd worry about a bit.

Sidney Porter

You might wat to start a thread in the c&v section if you have question on getting it up and running. It looks like it fits.

Sidney Porter

I would repack the bb, headset and wheel bearings. Lube the seatpost and stem.

chapel

well, I meant compared to the lazy cycling I was doing on my BMX until recently. This time I plan on working up a sweat.

yeah, my brother in law said he'd help me make sure that was all properly lubricated for me.

If I like this bike enough, I might upgrade to 700C wheels and slick tires. I figured the knobby ones would be good come winter.

I should probably look into how to do that.

kv501

sheldonbrown.com

Required reading, especially for maintenance on vintage stuff.

peckma

Kudos on dropping 100#. You may check out the Clydesdale forum - for cyclists over 200# - for support and info regarding the needs of the bulkier rider. Keep it up and you'll be a skinny cyclist before no time.

cqcumber

OP, i think u spent 100 on a bike that's in equal condition as your MTB that u can pulled out of 15 yrs bog...

chapel

The MTB was rusted solid. Chain was immovable. Headset was stuck. Seat was moldy and disgusting. Index shifters were broken.
Also, I spent $67 on those parts. Not $100

MikeyBoyAz

@chapel

REAL cycling is pedaling your bike... we all do it. Some of us are posers and freds, but we are all cycling... when we're not at the Cafe...

cqcumber

yikes, that mtb's no good.
i hope u can furnish this road bike, let us know how it goes/rides.

sfrider 

Good stuff. Get some fresh rim tape, tubes and tires on there, maybe fresh bar tape and a new chain, grease it up and go ride!

chapel

The bummer I just saw was all my parts are due on Thursday/Friday... except the Velox rim tape which is due next week... BAH!

as for bar tape... heh, it's got foam grips on it now... probably original too.

rpenmanparker 

I'd bet you can raise your saddle. Get someone local to show you how to figure the right saddle height. Proper saddle height is necessary for comfortable, efficient riding.

chapel

yeah, that's where it was yesterday when I pulled it out. I didn't have my tools with me.