Design/Functionaity ideas for new bike?
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Design/Functionaity ideas for new bike?
I got this "Raleigh USA Dash Plus CX" from Craigslist for $75. It has Shimano 100GS components. Rides pretty good, the shifting is incredibly smooth, and it brakes very well.
Anyone have any ideas on improving it's appearance? I think fixed gear always has the best style so I'd love your opinions. I removed all the reflectors and lights (will add an electric light later) and so far the only ideas have been:
1. straight bars (if they're comfortable, never tried them)
2. removing decals (if they're not clear coated on)
3. replacing the plastic pedals with caged or just platforms
4. removing the quick release from the seat and front tire
5. replacing the seat with a more narrow design
6. replacing the tires with a narrower set
7. painting the wheels all black (if i can figure that one out)
Any additional ideas on the paint scheme, or anything to add or take away to make it look and or perform better would be much appreciated.
Oh, and the bike will be used basically for exercise and getting to the store that's about 1 mile from me, ha.
Anyone have any ideas on improving it's appearance? I think fixed gear always has the best style so I'd love your opinions. I removed all the reflectors and lights (will add an electric light later) and so far the only ideas have been:
1. straight bars (if they're comfortable, never tried them)
2. removing decals (if they're not clear coated on)
3. replacing the plastic pedals with caged or just platforms
4. removing the quick release from the seat and front tire
5. replacing the seat with a more narrow design
6. replacing the tires with a narrower set
7. painting the wheels all black (if i can figure that one out)
Any additional ideas on the paint scheme, or anything to add or take away to make it look and or perform better would be much appreciated.
Oh, and the bike will be used basically for exercise and getting to the store that's about 1 mile from me, ha.
Last edited by dylan 84; 01-08-09 at 07:22 AM.
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https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L-6ugLM3ARw
Dylan, you son of a b*tch! What's the matter, the CIA got you pushing too many pencils? Learn to shift. Don't ride big/ big combo.
Those kind of frames can make a decent cyclocross/ touring-ish conversion. 100GS sucks. But if it works, leave it.
Dylan, you son of a b*tch! What's the matter, the CIA got you pushing too many pencils? Learn to shift. Don't ride big/ big combo.
Those kind of frames can make a decent cyclocross/ touring-ish conversion. 100GS sucks. But if it works, leave it.
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For all the $ you can pour into that you might could get a fg/ss new.
To get some 700c wheels on your old bike will be $120 alone
Triple cranks replaced $60-?
also that drop-out looks awfully vertical.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm
they will have a crappy cog but, they are already a fg/ss.
edit: that is if you want a fg?
To get some 700c wheels on your old bike will be $120 alone
Triple cranks replaced $60-?
also that drop-out looks awfully vertical.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm
they will have a crappy cog but, they are already a fg/ss.
edit: that is if you want a fg?
Last edited by larsalan; 01-08-09 at 09:45 AM.
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if anything, drop the big and granny ring and just use the middle one. shorten your chain and you'll get better shifting performance out of your 1x6 or 7 than you did with the triple.
buy new brake pads. take a scotch-brite to the rims to remove old crud and pad material.
get some sks fenders to keep yourself dry.
ride it.
buy new brake pads. take a scotch-brite to the rims to remove old crud and pad material.
get some sks fenders to keep yourself dry.
ride it.
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Why? (i don't mean that in a hostile way, i really don't know anything about these bikes)
To the guy that asked about the wheels - they are indeed 700c. 700x30mm I think.
To the guy that asked about ss/fg - I do not want this to be a fixed or single speed, I just posted this in the ss/fg forum cause you guys have the best looking bikes IMHO, so I figured you'd have some good insight on making it look better.
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100gs rings are riveted.
don't paint the wheels, it'll look janky. Just upgrade later if you like the bike.
don't paint the wheels, it'll look janky. Just upgrade later if you like the bike.
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Man I knew my bike would get flamed here. Why did I bother? Oh well, $75 isn't too bad for a beater that gets me into cycling. Thanks for the tips guys. Much appreciated.
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Why? (i don't mean that in a hostile way, i really don't know anything about these bikes)
To the guy that asked about the wheels - they are indeed 700c. 700x30mm I think.
To the guy that asked about ss/fg - I do not want this to be a fixed or single speed, I just posted this in the ss/fg forum cause you guys have the best looking bikes IMHO, so I figured you'd have some good insight on making it look better.
To the guy that asked about the wheels - they are indeed 700c. 700x30mm I think.
To the guy that asked about ss/fg - I do not want this to be a fixed or single speed, I just posted this in the ss/fg forum cause you guys have the best looking bikes IMHO, so I figured you'd have some good insight on making it look better.
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I'm not flaming.
That frame is good for cheap touring/ cyclocross/ commuting. For $400ish, you could have a real kick-ass ride with decent wheels, 80s road cranks, dropbars, V-brakes, bar-end shifters.
I have a Univega of that vintage I did up real nice for my gf.
get some white skull grips from danscomp.
That frame is good for cheap touring/ cyclocross/ commuting. For $400ish, you could have a real kick-ass ride with decent wheels, 80s road cranks, dropbars, V-brakes, bar-end shifters.
I have a Univega of that vintage I did up real nice for my gf.
get some white skull grips from danscomp.
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https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L-6ugLM3ARw
Dylan, you son of a b*tch! What's the matter, the CIA got you pushing too many pencils? Learn to shift. Don't ride big/ big combo.
Those kind of frames can make a decent cyclocross/ touring-ish conversion. 100GS sucks. But if it works, leave it.
Dylan, you son of a b*tch! What's the matter, the CIA got you pushing too many pencils? Learn to shift. Don't ride big/ big combo.
Those kind of frames can make a decent cyclocross/ touring-ish conversion. 100GS sucks. But if it works, leave it.
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