So, I've been running my mouth off in multiple threads here the past week or so and I'm assuming a few of you folks are wondering, 'Does this fool even have a bike?' Well, I do in fact, and I've finally taken the time to snap a current picture. I'll also include two previous pics of when my frame was in bare steel and another of it soon after completion, just because she was so pretty then.



I bought this bike complete about 6 years ago from a sketchy source for the el cheapo price of $75. I was looking for one to strip down and rebuild and this seemed a perfect candidate. After investing about $300 in a several new components; crankset, pedals, toe clips/straps, bottom bracket, tires, and paint supplies, I began by sanding the frame to bare steel. Which, in hindsight, was not a good idea. Even with nearly two cans of green and several coats of clear, it's very easy to ding the frame to bare steel. It's a little more durable on the fork, headset and rear portion of the chainstays to dropouts because that's silver and clear over green. But, my takeaway is that unless you have a good reason to strip to bare metal... just don't. All that's needed is to scuff the old paint and apply the fresh color. Live and learn. It was a putrid shade of purple so I guess I just wanted it gone. All in all though, I don't store my bike wet so rust isn't a threat. One thing I don't regret is sanding and polishing the headset cups, seat post and clamp to bare aluminum. More of that yuck purple gone!



This was taken about a few months after completion. That seat, a Selle SMP Hybrid, is the most comfortable seat I've had on there. Too bad it hit pavement a few years ago and suffered a significant gouging of the rear right portion. It was a freebie at the bike shop I used to work at so no money lost. But, man, do I miss it! It's still totally usable, however, but just looks horrible now. It's currently a last resort seat if all my others get stolen.



And this was my bike earlier today, sporting a brand new KMC chain. Go ahead and hate on the sticker bombing, I don't care. Also, that yellow on the seat stay and fork is reflective tape. It seemed like a good idea at the time but I goofed with the application. Was only going to apply it to the seat stays so I cut two portions and stuck them on. After which, I thought, "Well, wouldn't it be symmetrical to also stick a piece on the fork?' So, with the two excess, short pieces, I stuck them on the fork. I've tried to peel them off but to no avail. It's gonna take some scraping. And so they stay until when/if I paint again.

All in all, it's a solid frame.

Specifications:

• Frame: 56 cm Hi-Ten urban single speed, butted top and down tube, cr-mo seat tube, water bottle & fender mounts
• Fork: Hi-Ten SE straight leg w/fender mounts
• Wheels: Matching 32 spoke, deep dish aluminum of forgotten make/model that a friend gave me when I rebuilt this bike. Rear hub is a flip with a 15T fixed steel cog and without the freewheel.
• Tires: Mismatched 700x25 road tires
• Crankset: Vuelta Pista 130 BCD spider and 165mm crank. A newly replaced bottom bracket when built that, again, I've forgotten the name of and a 46T chainring.
• Chain: Silver and brown KMC S1
• Handlebar: Just a slight riser that I've come to love, chopped an inch symmetrically to shoulder width.
• Tape/Grips: Wrapped with inner tube and a mismatched set of grips. All secured in place with black electrical tape.
• Stem: A long and stout piece I salvaged from a previously owned Giant MTB. Originally black but now bare aluminum that's been sanded and polished.
• Headset: Tange 1-1/8" threadless
• Seatpost: SE micro adjust alloy, 27.2mm
• Saddle: Something I pulled out of my parts bin. Originally bought used at a co-op and any branding that was once there had worn off. It fits and doesn't look too goofy, so it's good.
• Pedals: MKS Sylvan Stream touring pedals ('rat trap' type pedals)
• Accessories: Christophe toe clips and straps