What's your backup bike?
09-29-08 | 07:39 PM
#51
Crushing souls
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 1
From: Sagamore Hills, Ohio.
Bikes: Trek 1500
09-29-08 | 07:51 PM
#52
Thread Starter
it's easy if you let it.
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,124
Likes: 2
From: indoors and out.
I have the money to buy your average Craigslist MTB, but I don't want an MTB. I think I'm looking for something small and light with drop bars. And now that something like that's come along (in the form of an '04 Specialized Langster), I'm unwilling to drop $350 on it when it cost $440 five years ago. So the wait continues...
10-01-08 | 12:12 AM
#54
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
Bikes: 2020 Thompson Randonneur, 2008 Davidson Custom Titanium, 2012 Custom Seven Steel Tandem, 1981 Shogun Touring Bike, 1974 Raleigh International
Hi neighbor,
I'm interested in the handlebars on that commuter-ized mountain bike in the middle of your 3 bikes -- what are they?
And, what kind of bike is that?
I'm converting a Stumpjumper for commuting/touring and still not sure about the handlebars (I have trekking bars on order...).
I'm interested in the handlebars on that commuter-ized mountain bike in the middle of your 3 bikes -- what are they?
And, what kind of bike is that?
I'm converting a Stumpjumper for commuting/touring and still not sure about the handlebars (I have trekking bars on order...).
The bike is a 1983 Diamondback Ridge Runner mountain bike. It's not light. It was OK in it's day but not as nice as a Stumpjumper.
Last edited by cheg; 10-01-08 at 08:11 AM.
10-01-08 | 05:51 AM
#56
1. get on 2. pedal
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check SS, '84 Raleigh Alyeska, '00 Mongoose Crossway
I laugh when people on BF call Cross-Checks and Langsters heavy. THIS is heavy. Still I rode this cheap used Mongoose Crossway everywhere for months before upgrading and it now serves as an urban warrior and grocery getter (with a quick-release Wald basket on the bars, not pictured).
My significant other is hooked on bicycling now too and this is in many ways the key bike in our household. When one bike is in the shop, this one stands in. When we're traveling somewhere too risky to lock a nice bike, this one attracts little attention. When a friend wants to borrow a bike or a house guest wants to join us on a ride, this does fine. When we need extra carrying power we can press the Golden Goose into service and not have unnecessary baskets on our main bikes. The upright position is a pain for longer distances on the MUPs, but for short hops on busy streets it's great because you sit so high and can see traffic so well. It goes to show it doesn't take a fancy bike to be a good bike - just the right bike.
My significant other is hooked on bicycling now too and this is in many ways the key bike in our household. When one bike is in the shop, this one stands in. When we're traveling somewhere too risky to lock a nice bike, this one attracts little attention. When a friend wants to borrow a bike or a house guest wants to join us on a ride, this does fine. When we need extra carrying power we can press the Golden Goose into service and not have unnecessary baskets on our main bikes. The upright position is a pain for longer distances on the MUPs, but for short hops on busy streets it's great because you sit so high and can see traffic so well. It goes to show it doesn't take a fancy bike to be a good bike - just the right bike.
10-01-08 | 11:13 AM
#57
10-02-08 | 08:30 AM
#59
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Right now, I guess I just have the main bike- the Nishiki XRS Sport hybrid. I also have a Nishiki Olympic 12 that I had been using, but it has a bent frame and a bad tire right now, so that's out of service at present. Then there's my '66 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, "The Old Gentleman," that I got last week. It's close to roadworthy but not really setup for commuting. I plan to add a rack on the back and a basket up front to make it a grocery-getter, but until I do I guess my main backup is my car.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
10-07-08 | 08:34 PM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Bikes: 2007 Kona Jake, 2002 Specialized Hard Rock, 19?? Schwinn Sprint
My Backup: I bought this beauty at a thrift store for $15. I purchased new tubes, tires, cables and handlebar grips. I had the LBS convert it to single speed. It is a pretty fun ride!
