Here's my new Schwinn city bike.This one surprisingly lighter than i thought and integrated rack also longer than standard rack which useful when I load large size box.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...ens%252002.JPG

I do a 24 km commute on a 1985 SuperCycle Commuter Six. I got the bike for free after finding it as decoration in a family friend's backyard. Covered in rust and probably hadn't been ridden for 15 years. I cleaned the rust on the handlebars and sealed the frame rust, then added a BionX pedelec kit as I live in a quite hilly area. The kit has also allowed me to commute during our recent heat waves by kicking it up to assist level 4.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...0711-00003.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...0711-00004.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...0711-00005.jpg

Converting the cost of a recharge to the current cost of gas, I get the equivalent of over 2800 MPG. :D

took a wrong turn the other day and ended up here. Glad to have the 29er wheels.

http://i760.photobucket.com/albums/x...7-13151413.jpghttp://i760.photobucket.com/albums/x...7-13151928.jpg

Indeed. I have a 25' frame which is more normal. I am considering moving back to the 25'. They both share the same top tube length, so the only difference is seat and handlebar height, which can be changed. This frame is I think a bit wobbly. The general bike frame triangle looses a lot of rigidity when pushed to these proportions.

So this guy in town is one of our local bike farmers. He has a store front (clutter city) an upgrade
from his residential home littered with bicycles. Beautiful vintage (seriously) sitting outside exposed to the elements.
He is okay as far as the craigslister refab bicycle farmers go but rather arrogant but nicer than the other guy.

Anyway, he has this kinda cute Bridgestone Mountain bike AND a lovely olive and creme Raleigh (70's) style couple--one of which has a Brooks saddle completely soaked from the rain. He quotes me $179 for the Bridge, over $500 for a white panasonic with red tires and some other obscene amount for the Raleighs. So I leave.

Aggravated because now everyone with a 1980 bicycle wants $300--so nothing to do I navigate to the local pawn shops and VOILA--a guy walks in with a Schwinn Crosscut. I approach him and asks him how much he wants for the bike. He says he often pawns it for minimal cash and then gets it out. I ask how much to buy--he says $80. I say sold. I give him a $100.


Take it to my local bike shop they say they wouldn't have paid $25.00 for it. No worries. I love her.
I am selling the Trek Alpha 2.1 and this Crosscut--yeah she may not look like much but I took her for a 25 mile ride today--I am in love.
These 38 tires are ....a dream.

I removed: the kickstand, water bottle thingamajig, grips, and the back rack.
I added: all of my monkey lights (I know but I love them).

Here she is---isn't she lovely.......
Yes I overpaid at Bike America for the Trek Alpha 2.1 and yes it is for sale. Pics aren't the best forgive...

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=261690http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=261689

A Schwinn Crosscut in ready to ride condition is worth what you paid. If it was in really tough shape then yeah I guess only $25 bucks, but if the frame is good i would consider paying $25 just for that if it was what I was wanting.

Aww thank you Monsterpile:

Yes! She was ready to ride. A guy in my neighborhood works as a bicycle mechanic--he offered to purchase her from me twice. Says she is rock solid, the components are strong-21 speed. I cannot believe the difference between steel and alum. I owe it to this forum for putting me on the quest for a steel lug. Read so much about steel --I feel the difference. For me, fragility. The Trek, I always feared hitting a curb--which clearly is why I am unable to justify paying $2700 for a Rivendell. My need for speed, durability and roughness exceeds my vanity. I guess.

Of course, those 23 road tires--gosh I will never go back to those things. Sadly, its becoming harder and harder to find a steel lug for a $100. I am on the look out for my neighbor.

LOL you drive a hard bargain offering more than the asking price. A few weeks ago I bought a Schwinn CrissCross for $50 at a thrift store. It had some newer tires and stuff like that so it was pretty much a steal. It done have a cracked rear rim that I didn't notice, but I have other wheelsets laying around so I ma not concerned about that. I've been to busy an had to many other projects and vacation so I haven't gotten it fixed up and rideable yet, but I am pretty happy with the purchase. I might end up putting dropbars on it at some point if the reach isn't too far. Its not easy to find older hybrid frame like this one in larger sizes. I can't justify an expensive bike either. The most expensive bike I now own was $240. Instead of one expensive bike I own a bunch of cheaper bikes and yes I own to many bikes, but at some point I don't feel too bad about it becasue alot of them I could sell and later easily replace if needed or desired.

Looks like you have a 1992

http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/MODELS/Crosscut.html

Took the daily on vacation to Montauk.

http://i.imgur.com/CaGKal.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/R8cM6l.jpg

I love this bike.

My b-max as of today. Folding stainless basket, bottle holder, and folding pedals were installed.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7...4fd0d0157d.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7...c5fb1b3206.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7...8cc4e529e9.jpg

What's up everyone. First post, so I may as well post up my new bike :)

Just started commuting to work for the last month straight and decided on a new investment today.

Bought a '12 JtS. Axiom rack and pannier bags.

Next investment will be some cycling shoes.

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/...o/02cdd4a6.jpg

^Nice Kona! It looks fast just standing still. :thumb:

A clipless set up is definitely worth it, especially if you have any hills or have a significant portion of your commute in stop-and-go traffic. It's nice to not have to futz to get the pedals in the right position for launch. Just lift a foot and kick off.

So, I added a 4th bike to my stable this past week. An old lugged steel falcon converted to a single speed/fixed gear. I rode around fixed for a few days but am now running the single speed (at least until I can add a second brake. It has a rack and a bell, rear caliper brake, shimano brake lever, all city track hubs, schwalbe marathons with reflective sidewalls, riser bars, and a big cushy saddle. I really like it so far. 45/16 single 15 fixed.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V...0/P1060199.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d...0/P1060203.JPG

My Trek Soho Deluxe 2011, not looking quite as clean as it was when I took the pictures but it's generally served me well in its year of use so far:

http://johnmcl7.smugmug.com/Other/My...9-124937-L.jpg

http://johnmcl7.smugmug.com/Other/My...P1030938-L.jpg

That's very different and very cool.

That's a great looking Jake The Snake. I've really been on the fence about getting one of those.

Looking forward to your posts in the forum. I'd love to hear your opinion on that bike, especially the braking with canti's

I ride a JTS as well for commuting. I'll tell you what, those cantis can't shake a stick at caliper brakes. It's like night and day when. Swap for any of my road bikes. I have to always remember to brake early with the kona.

Took this picture this morning, at the halfway point on my commute to work. A 1989 Centurion Master, built by Robbie Tunes. I just added a Fizik white and black seat. You can see she is decked out for travel in the darkness. ;) Those two 18650 burners up front, and the PBSF Turbo on the rear light the way..I will ride here sister tomorrow. Her sister is an 1988 Centurion Expert, also built by Robbie Tunes.. ;)

http://www.cehoward.net/master25.jpg

what? I thought cantis were supposed to be better than calipers. That is why they are used on cyclocross bikes where you may need to brake late. Am I misinformed?

Cantilever brakes are used on cyclocross bikes because they offer more clearance around the tires which is needed when the tires get all muddy.

A lot of this is perception. Ease of setup also plays a role.

If you've got a decent dual-pivot caliper (or V-brake), you just setup the cable so that it hits the rim before your lever bottoms out and you're done. It will give you good performance and great level-feel.

With cantilever brakes, there are a nearly infinite number of possibilities in setup. Depending on the yoke height and the brake arm length and angle, you'll get different responses from the brake. Most of the time when you get them set up to provide a lot of braking power they feel mushy. I suspect that with most cantilevers (assuming the brake itself doesn't flex too much) it is possible to set them up to feel just like a dual-pivot caliper. It just isn't easy.

But as br0nc says, the use of these dinosaurs in CX is more about mud clearance than braking power.

Just out of curiosity, are you talking about the "Bicycle Farm" on Broward Blvd, just west of the Turnpike?

Hey Chuck!

I think I know your true alias! :roflmao2:

The multi-geared Cruiser is the ultimate commuter. :thumb:

Sorta reminds me of the royal Trek Sawyer, all Fredded out! :lol: