TejanoTrackie 

I've always wanted to build a single speed townie, but until now have not found the proper bike to use. Last December I bought a Windsor Clockwork from bikesdirect on closeout for only $180 including state sales tax, and have been working on the modifications ever since. Initially I used existing parts to replace the stock narrow rims and skinny tires with wider rims and tires, geared down from 46 x 16 to 44 x 18, replaced the stock narrow pedals with wide platforms and installed a water bottle cage. Recently, I bought about $100 worth of parts to complete the transformation, consisting of pull back bars with brake levers, new longer stem with new silver top cap, cork grips, a bell and front basket. I would have liked to add fenders, but unfortunately there is no clearance with the brake calipers and no chainstay bridge to attach the front end of the rear fender. I'm extremely pleased with the final result and the bike rides very nicely.

Mumonkan

i love this. the bars are perfect. just needs hammered metal fenders and fatter tires

cosmicwheelie

yea thats really nice. i love that old raleigh green.

garlic_rice

Wow, this is awesome. Both @hockeyteeth and @Mumonkan are right - either bar setup would look cool, but yes to hammered Honjos.

hockeyteeth

I'll post a picture of my ideal townie. Unfortunately, proportions on tall frames don't look as pleasant as smaller frames, so my upcoming townie build won't ever be 10/10 in my eyes. I'll try to post a photo of my build in-progress tomorrow. It's a 62cm Peugeot U0-8.

mattheis

At the store



Just bought one of these, looks nice and not quite as tall as the milk crate

velofinds

Thanks guys! I know it's not perfect (I don't love the fitment of the SKS fenders, for example), but for what it is - rain bike, grocery getter (I'm still exploring rack options), child transporter - I think it does alright and looks pretty good while doing it. I would love if money were no object, though, so I could go crazy on it

Shotland

You sir, have nailed it. Through creativity, classiness and keeping it classic, you've built up a great townie.

Only recommendations would be a front basket/rack of some sort and different (real) fenders. I once had a bad crash because of those very fenders. Literally took me off my feet for two months.

Carcosa

Piling on the love. That thing makes me want to build a townie.

IAmSam

Can you please post your impressions of using this crate after awhile?

velofinds

Thanks! If I end up keeping the bike, I may have to.

Definitely do it. The upright position makes for such a different riding experience from a road or track bike, but that's what makes it so fun.

TejanoTrackie 

Bump to keep this thread on page 1. Another pic of my Windsor Clockwork townie with better lighting:

SquidPuppet

Did you add tension to your saddle? It looks much less hammocky than the way they come out of the box. Maybe it's the pic?

velofinds

Could be the pic -- I didn't touch the tensioner. I've owned a couple of these now, and it doesn't feel any different than the earlier one that I had (which is to say, it feels just fine).

Edit: not sure if it has anything to do with it, but FWIW, this is a B17 Narrow, not Standard.

Shotland

Very soon, I will have a townie for this thread.

TejanoTrackie 

Almost only counts in horse shoe tossing and hand grenades.

Shotland

Hold your breath!

TejanoTrackie 

Don't want to, makes my lips turn blue.

velofinds

Latest setup.

TejanoTrackie 

^^^Very cool !

cobrabyte

That's a good looking build. My thoughts; flip the bars the right way, get some normal brake levers and metal fenders and it would be a great looking build.


And not trying to be *****ty but those racks look way out of place.

velofinds

Thanks!

Nothing *****ty about it, you are entitled to your opinion

Cynikal 

The rear rack is a kid carrier, correct?

velofinds

Correct.

europa

Neat setup, much better than those horrid plastic things that are always in place. Mind you, I regularly see a bloke commuting with one of them grey plastic things with his back pack sitting in the carrier.