shipwreck

Well, paid 25 for the bike but do parts bin things count? not in my book. The post, seat and stem, the rear derailer, one nipple, tires and a new chain. Not sure why I am showing it, other than that this bike totaly represents something fun cheap, and rescued like a pound animal.

I think that the reason I am having such a great time on this bike is because I don't care if I trash the wheels. It was only thru amazing effort and patience that I got them as good as they are. they were really bad. Helicomatic hub is the first I have ever played with, and its pretty nice after servicing. Need a lockring tool, that was not included. Put some 28mm Armadillos on it and have been doing some decents on rough paved roads faster than I ever do on anything other than my mountain bike.



Not a super frame, its an 83 Trek 560, according to the hub. All the details were stripped off exept the little 560 on the chain stay and the headtube badge.

WickedThump

Nice bike. I also like to go cheap, but come out the other side with a good custom ride. To me, bragging rights go to those who those who spend less not more. Anybody can whip out the credit card, but it takes a real bike lover to build from used parts and come out ahead. Judging by ebay prices on used parts, my Kona JTS frankenbike will pay me about $200 over cost in parts sales.

simmonsgc

I agree, very nice bike. Interesting that a very similar (630) bike is referred to as a "grail" bike in another recent thread. I guess one man's grail is another man's beater! Either way you slice it, you could do WAY worse for a $25 bike. Heck, just that cyclone mk II gt rear mech often goes for twice that on eBay. Ride it like you stole it! Wait...you did steal it.

Wildwood 

Cheap is good in my book.
As long as it's safe.

southpawboston

Those Trek 560s can be had for next to nothing, yet they're great frames! My 1988 560 with TruTemper tubing is probably my best riding frame. It is more supple riding than any of my Reynolds 531 frames.

due ruote 

I think making do is sort of a lost art, so I applaud your efforts. Everything but the bachelorette party seat post, that is. Otoh, maybe it's helping with the fast descents on sloppy roads.

scozim 

Paid $37 for my Trek 510. Someone had cut the drop bars to try and make bullhorns so I swapped in new bars from the parts bin and slapped on a Mavic GL330 tubular wheelset and started riding. Puts a smile on my face every time I'm out on it and the Ishiwata tubing makes for a great frame.

shipwreck

"the bachelorette party seat post"

Thats pretty great. Its actualy not that bad, it has possibly 3/4 inch of travel and I have it as stiff as it will adjust. It was just the only post that fit and as the original post was to short...

One reason I am sort of suprised by how much fun it is is the frame size. Its a 57, and most of my other bikes are 60s, with some 58 and one 59. This is really pushing how small I would want to go. The old Belri stem really gets the bar out there enough though. Plus that "smile on the face" thing, its interesting because I have bikes that I paid WAY to much for with columbus, 531, ect, and this, with(according to the trek brochure)501 chromo tubing and magnese alloy fork and stays is smooth, climbs great and is pretty good on the straitaways. I think that its going to get some better parts, but for now the fact that I now have a fast roadbike that fits big kevlar armadillos is wonderfull. there is even room for fenders if I decide to lose the flickstand, unlikely, I love those things, and everyone I ride with wants one. I have them on several bikes, and leaning up outside a cafe is great.

The other thing is how i found the bike. on the home stretch of a weekend tour, saw it leaning at a junk shop. NEVER judge a bikes weight after riding a 40 pound touring rig seventy miles. It felt so light I was unsure it was just an old trek. The next day when I drove back it was a little heavyer