the background of your bike makes me miss new york. grew up just 20 miles east of niagara falls. sure looks like home with all those trees

What kind of low rider did you get?
I need to get one so please do tell.

ezdoesit,
It's a Nashbar. I got it on Ebay for $15. I have replaced it with the Surly nice rack using Tubus bolt on braze on's.

Excuse my ignorance, djwid, but what`s the advantage to fwd on a bike? I`ve seen pics of other fwd `bents and it looks like a lot of complication that just gives more possibility for failure, but I`m guessing there`s a reason to go through the trouble- I just don`t see what that reason is. They use internal geared hubs somehow?

Did a little tinkering with the bike this week. Changed out the bars to mustache bars and changed up to bar end shifters. I like the new change. It gives a more comfortable ride than the flat bars that were originally on there. So here is my newly updated Ibex Corrida.

Last week I bought an Electra Townie. I test rode a few bikes and really liked the townie. What I didn't like was the coaster brakes, three speed hub, upcharge for necessities like a rack to fit the crazy geometry, and fenders. I looked at the Electra site and liked the Euro model, but couldn't find one in stock. The Euro model is about $150 more than the sidewalk cruisers stocked at every Electra dealer, plus it has a rack, fenders, real brakes, 8+1 derailleur drivetrain, and a really solid rack. A local retailer told me he'd order one for me to check out, and I didn't have to commit to buying it. When the bike arrived it was definitely a lot more serious than the everyday 26" townie cruisers. It is still a low speed comfort cruiser, but it is built up more like a serious bicycle. I was disappointed by the very low quality tires, but I laid out my $700 and now it's mine.

I bought a cheap set of Conti Contacts for $50 (pair). I was hoping that a set of Big Apples would fit, but they are too big for the fenders. I just added a set of Reelights to it (the Reelights were a bad purchase, I review them in a different thread). I'll keep my Fenix L2D in the bag for when it gets dark enough require real illumination, which is rare this time of year. I also added an Axa ring lock and the chain accessory for the ring lock (greatest accessory ever).

The bike is beautiful and incredibly comfortable. The color is impossible to see properly in my photos or on the Electra website. It's a beige color with a hint of a green pearl tint. I can't count the number of compliments I've gotten for this rig. The graphics are understated and the chain guard and fenders are painted the same color as the bike.

The "Flat Foot Geometry" is a bit overstated for my 700c model. You can easily put your toe down while sitting in the saddle, but not flat-footed like in the ads (unless you keep the saddle waaay too low for an efficient stroke). The bike's soul inspires you to take your time. It doesn't really scream out "slow" as much as saying "I'm not in a hurry." It isn't as dorky looking or as clunky as my old western flier cruiser, which I gave to a friend. Being lower to the ground makes hauling a heavy load of groceries easier, and makes slow riding with many stops less of a hassle.

It feels a little odd having the crank moved forward, but it is easy to get used to. You really can't stand up and sprint on the pedals comfortably, but it's efficient for normal cruising in the saddle. Sitting upright in the saddle is bad for wind resistance, but I have to admit it is a much more pleasant way to ride. Going slow is more fun when you can easily look at what's around you.

The gear range is pretty wide but well thought out. The gears range a bit on the high side for that bike, but it definitely beats the three speed hub on most Electras. I didn't want a front derailleur because I like having a full chain guard.

All in all, I love this bicycle. It is more fun to ride than any other bike I've owned.

bugly64 ,

Was there anything wrong with the Nashbar? Just want to know if it was bad or won't hold up?

Ezdoesit,
It was fine. I just wanted a rack that looked like a brush guard on my Cross Check.

That is freakin' gorgeous!

Good to see someone else sporting the Candy pedals on their commuter. My bike came with toe straps and after scrapping those for a set of Candy Cs and I can't imagine not having them.

My first bike ever. Really love it.

agreed, very purdy!

Would be purdier with gears, but still purdy.

Yeah, the Candy pedals really are great to commute on. Easy to get in and out of the pedals in traffic, and the small platform helps in situations where you want to pedal forward a bit without actually clipping in. The only time I miss platforms is when I am going to go on a short ride and don't want to have to wear my cycling-specific shoes.

Which swobo is that? Nice, btw.

Looks like a stock Otis with a rear fender added.

Yes, it's stock Otis with rear fender added. I'm not super happy about the look of a fender, but it does the job.
I just got a bike, ride it every day and really like it. Any ideas of making it even cooler.

Add matching front fender. Having dry feet/face is the cooooooooolest.

Yeah, I unfortunately posted before remembering that the Folsom wasn't the only Swobo with the squared stays on the rear triangle and that the Folsom Frame wasn't the only one that was black...

That thing is effing sweet!

Looks alot like my bike :

Matching up the front fender would balance the look and besides keeping you cleaner, will reduce the amount of wear on and the cleaning you need to do to the drive train as your front wheel is the number one source for crud getting thrown into the drive train.

You will be amazed at how much nicer this will make the bike.

1988 Kuwahara Shasta - fixed gear mtb conversion.

Even with the wider 2.0 Schwalbe Hurricanes she's a pretty fast bike as the tyres have a small contact patch at 70 psi and the bike will just blow through and over stuff I would be dodging on other bikes and the tyres also handle the trails really well.

The ride is amazingly good with those higher volume tyres and that ratty but uber comfy Lycette saddle.

I wish I your knack for digging up cool old bikes, 65er. The only thing that saves me from insanity through envy is the general lack of what I consider a sufficient gear range : )

This was a frame and fork I found at the bike co-op... a friend wanted to build it up and then changed her mind so I adopted it since it was the perfect size.

Everything but the rear wheel was salvaged / recycled...I had to build that up.

My Kuwahara Cascade got retired from winter duty since she got to looking so pretty and I needed another fixed winter bike... and I love these old hand built Kuwahara frames.

Rad as usual, 65er.