Narhay

So, that Colnago is too smooth, fits like a glove and shifts too well. Your Pinarello with matching pantographed everything shines in the light a little too much. Your Reynolds 531 is a little TOO light and doesn't steamroll the pavement flat. Your aluminum rims are far too safe braking in the rain. You desire exhilarating change, but you're not sure how.

The C&V Clunker 100 Challenge. The hunt, the build, the slog.

UPDATE: The clunker challenge churns onward indefinitely. There is no more deadline for entry...you may enter at any point.

You have 100 days from the purchase/acquiring of your bicycle to complete the following:

- $100 firm budget to purchase a C&V bicycle. This $100 includes initial bicycle purchase and all consumables/parts to make it go again. You may have to cut corners but this is all part of the fun. That wal-mart saddle just might have to be your hatchet if you spent all your money on new tires. Your time, tools, cleaning supplies, gas/transit to go get it and grease are free. If you are buying new or used, record that price. If you are using something you already have, use the fair market value of the item. If in doubt, ask. Shipping is a cost to be factored in. While anyone who wishes to participate is encouraged to follow the spirit of the game and go out and get a new bicycle, an untouched project waiting in the shed is ok, too. Swapping one part out for another does not cancel out the value added to the bicycle. As found = purchase price. Anything removed from the bicycle does not give you money but everything added subtracts from your total budget.

- Keep a detailed list and updated before, during and after pictures in this thread on your purchases and progress.

- A minimum of 100km ridden on your new bike. Take photos of the rebuild and of the bicycle in the places you go and post them here. Perhaps you'll have a newfound admiration for stem shifters and solid axles.

- Arbitrary style and value points. You'll get style points for both the nicest finds/builds AND the bikes that make us say "That thing actually survived 100km?". Going as cheap and crummy as possible is a badge of honour. Bonus points for using a real POS in as-found condition (flipped bars, rusted cables, saddle at a 45 degree angle, etc.) and preserving the integrity of the previous owner's ingenuity and mechanical skills.

Sign up below.

Edit: although they are very nice, this game is not to show off your past finds. This is to find and build something new specifically for this purpose.

gaucho777 

Sounds like a fun challenge! Reminds me of the Velo Cheapo Build-Off Challenge (scroll to last post for links to entrants/winners) from a few years ago. I like the wrinkle that you actually have to ride the bike.

gomango

Garage sales start early in Minnesota.

I'm in once I find the right bike.

Edit: Just found the bike at a buddies' cabin.

......and a cool trailer as well.

Just have to wait till the snow melts to get in there to pick them up.

Narhay

Very cool. The rules and regulations are a bit too long for me but maybe we can use them as rough guidelines if anything should arise. $100, 100 days, 100km. We should be able to work in those confines.

browngw 

Let the games begin!

jish1969

I found(and bought) the right bike for this on Sunday for 21 bucks. I already did most of the overhauling(headset, BB, freewheel) this week, and the only extra I have spent so far is in brake cables and housing for $9.33. I still have to get tires, tubes, shifter cables and housings and grips though, can I still play if I am this far in?
1984 Schwinn Sierra in "as found" condition-freewheel wouldn't move, a few broken sprockets, chain was frozen in more than a few spots. It took me about 15 minutes to get it out from under the pile it was in at the co-op.

Narhay

You have 100 days, not 100 seconds. That was quick.

rhm

Hmmm. My son needs a bike....

Narhay

Welcome aboard.

gomango

One text and a "mtb" was acquired.

David325

Sounds fun!

redneckwes

I have the bike, an early 70's Concorde that I bought at a thrift store for $2.99. As an alternate I could use the Louison Bobet a buddy gave me a few years ago.

I clearly have some room to play...

Narhay

Why not both? Heh.

Ex Pres 

I've already ridden this on a century. I only had to pay for new tires (which I stole on ebay), two cables and some bar tape. So maybe $50. Plus grease, some new ball bearings, lots of rust remover and polishing compound/wax.

I admit, this is kinda' cheating; but hey, we all gotta take advantage when we can.
EDIT: I forgot the hoods. IIRC I paid $35, maybe to one of you, at the replacement Cycles D'Oro Cirque a couple years back.
And please ignore those pedals. I have the correct Record ones with clips & straps. I just only ride it that way a few times a year, but need a proper pic.

rhm

Hold on, now..... You think that Frejus is a clunker? Vote to ban!

oddjob2

eeny meeny miney mo catch a tiger by the toe
Decisions, decisions....

Glad I got my Panaracers or Schwalbe's for about $31 a pair, with free shipping!

r0ckh0und 

I have an untouched Giant Quasar my size........bolt on rear, turkey levers, steel seatpost.............$39.99. I know I over paid but it's a clunker and I can come in under budget, 62 miles could be an issue considering condition of rider.

shoota 

TWO?!? I can't even find one!!!

oddjob2

The pair was listed for $125 total, I offered $135, but the kindly retired fellow ultimately only would take $125.00.

You should see the $25 PDG 20 from a garage sale nearby. A bit small at 15" seat tube.

Narhay

banned! There are a few good deals that have been floating around the forum for some time but this I'd not the time nor place to post. Find another free frejus and then we are talking.

Narhay

If you think about it...that is less than a mile a day. Lucky you getting off so easily.

Sixty Fiver

This is my kind of challenge...

You can't beat free... she has been on a century and quite a number of metrics.



Also free... wheels were salvaged and the fenders were picked up for a twenty, tyres were another 20. Need to ride that 100 miles now...



$100.00 and needed nothing but a saddle swap... too many centuries to count.



Other bikes have been purchased for less but with the addition of custom wheels and parts go over the $100.00 limit.

Savagewolf

I think it would be more fun if it were "required" to show the craigslist ad or price tag in thrift store or something similar to be valid, as well as being something that was started new after this thread, not a past project.

Pompiere

The way the snow is piled up around here, it will be 100 days before the first garage sales start.

Daveyates

I'm in and these rules sound good from Savagewolf!