clayborne

I was wondering if anyone uses a funny bike as a daily rider and could tell me pros and cons. I basically wanted to know if it is worth going all out on a nice funny frame or just trying to rig something up with smallers forks and wheels (knowing the top tube/head tube will be standard).
Thanks

ianjk

In the summer, I ride my tallbike a lot... Lots of fun to ride once you get used to them. Not very practical, but a heck of a workout when you are riding (keeping up) with friends and live on top of a giant hill. (Imagine climbing a giant hill on an old 35+pound Sears cruiser with a 3 speed hub, now add another cruiser on top and the fun begins).

endform

He's talking about bikes with a 700 rear wheel and 650 front, not your bike, that's just "haha" funny.

12XU

Depends on what you call a daily rider. I live in a small town so my average trip is no more than 2 miles, but I've ridden it in alley cats anywhere from 15-25 miles. If you're out of the saddle fairly often, it is a really whippy, fun ride. If you're going in a straight line for many miles at a time as you would with any longer rides outside of town, it'd be hellaciously unfun. Thus, there are absolutely no practical benefits other than image, as you could get the same handling characteristics from a track bike with steep geometry. The good thing about funny frames is that they can be had for a ton less than your average lustworthy track frame, simply because people don't know what to look for on eBay or they're afraid to commit to such a ridiculous bike. I've given thought to putting a Nitto Technomic stem and some moustache bars on it just for ****s...and to get a Technomic before they're unobtanium (they've been discontinued I think).

MKRG

Yo kerry, I got some Nitto moustaches that could be had fairly cheap.

p3ntuprage

absolutely fine.

the only things are:

two different sized tyres means carrying two different sized tyres/tubes or sealant and some hope if you're cycling further than walking distance.

start with the bars at a non-stupid height and lower them gradually as you get more flexible or you'll wake up the morning after your first ride unable to move your shoulders or neck.

fsnl
sparky

Landgolier

you can stuff a 700 tube in a 50 by putting a Z bend in it, it will run lumpy (though not as bad as you'd expect) but it will get you home. Just sayin'.

allgoblack

okay. ill admit it. i actually laughed out loud when i read this.

ianjk

LOL! That is what they call them? Usually my friends call my choppers/tallbikes/freakbikes "funny" bikes.

But yeah, never ridden a combo like that, my commuter/fixie is 27" front 700c rear, not quite as drastic as 660-700

abeyance

I have a Bianchi Krono that I ride almost everyday (not fixed, but I might fix it), so I have a few suggestions.
1. Have both brakes. Due to the low front end, your body position and center of gravity(COG) are out of wack, backpedaling is not quite as effective, and with just a front brake and your altered COG, endo's are much easier.
2. You could flip a pair of Scott Drop-Ins reverse DUI style(or the same design from Modelo) to give you an appropriate ride height and the same feeling as a standard bike. It will be a bit flexy, but it works.
3. The tube thing is something you need to consider, alot. But in my backpack, I always carry 3 tubes (622,571,559).
4. Mismatched tires are great. My Bianchi is celeste, red and blue, so I have a blue rear and am looking for a cheap red front.
5. You can always swap out the fork for a 700 one, but that will seriously mess up the geometry ( really laid back ht and st, and virtually no bb drop. I rode one. It was stable and squirrely all at the same time.
6. There are really no pros other than cost and looks.
7. Make sure you don't get one with a 24in front. Tire selection is a bit limited and usually costly.

dutret

hey that was my idea... I still want to see it done.

edit: or did I on the tokyo thread?

FridgeRobot

I Hate when that happens.... except mine's three old mongoose bmx frames welded together.... we call it the medium bike b/c its not quite as tall as a tall bike

12XU

How much ya looking for?

Kennetht638

I ride a Nishiki Linear pretty regularly commuting between 3 and 6 miles each way. It has a 700c rear and a 24" front and about a 10-11" saddle-bar drop. I've ridden it in a couple of alleycats up to about 15 miles and done well. I took it on a 20 mile road ride once and my back and hands hurt afterward. I love the bike because it's just a ton of fun to ride. It's pretty light (lighter than my IRO, comparable with my geared road bike), and it feels really fast. I have it set up 46x15 (a little too hard) but have ridden it most at 46x17. It has nitto bullhorns on it which I find to be very comfortable for what I do. Also, contrary to popular belief, tires are not that expensive. I recently discovered a giant bubble in the sidewall of my 24x1.00 Panaracer T-Serv, and was able to replace it with a 24x1-1/8 Pasela for less than $20.

As far as pros and cons go:

Pros:
Fun
Different
Looks awesome
Fast!

Cons:
Sucks to ride with a heavy bag
Hard to get weight back for things like ice and rough roads
Requires a bit of flexibility (I'm still young and limber)

na975

i have a 650F wheel and it looks funny to me.

clayborne

I am doing it, got my tax returns last night. I admit my true intrest is to ride something different then what i have and what everyone else has. It will proably be just for fun and friendly alley cats, so that relieves me of the pack and fatiuge issue. Will post pictures soon. Thnkas for the encouragment. I will shoo hard for a 650. Thanks.

12XU

So I just bought one of these today:



The ol' bike should look quite dorky tomorrow!!

Retem

good luck being able to see traffic with your nose glued to the front tire

wearyourtruth

or