Specialized Crossroads low-buck commuter project
05-17-09, 08:55 PM
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Specialized Crossroads low-buck commuter project
I've been looking for a cheap bike to use as an occasional commuter, and I found this mid-90s Crossroads hybrid at a pawn shop for $20. I figured it would make a good starting point and since I work in a somewhat seedy area, it might not draw too much attention.
The bike was wearing a steel 26" MTB wheel in the rear, a nice old 700c Ambrosio wheel up front, and was fairly badly neglected and had a healthy amount of surface rust. I stripped it down and did a quick cleanup of the rust, then touched up the paint. I added an old set of 27" wheels and a 105 group that was gifted by a friend, and I have about $75 in it now. The frame is a bit bigger than I'd like, but it will do for the moment. The Persons saddle is only a temporary addition, I've got a cheapo going on it soon. I also want to add a set of fenders.
I think I might have missed the mark in building an incognito low-risk-of-theft bike, it's a cheap and low-end bike, but it looks a bit better than I intended...
Before:
After:
The bike was wearing a steel 26" MTB wheel in the rear, a nice old 700c Ambrosio wheel up front, and was fairly badly neglected and had a healthy amount of surface rust. I stripped it down and did a quick cleanup of the rust, then touched up the paint. I added an old set of 27" wheels and a 105 group that was gifted by a friend, and I have about $75 in it now. The frame is a bit bigger than I'd like, but it will do for the moment. The Persons saddle is only a temporary addition, I've got a cheapo going on it soon. I also want to add a set of fenders.
I think I might have missed the mark in building an incognito low-risk-of-theft bike, it's a cheap and low-end bike, but it looks a bit better than I intended...
Before:
After:
05-17-09, 10:39 PM
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Justin
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man that really cleaned up well. was the chain really tied together when you got it?
05-18-09, 06:14 AM
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05-18-09, 06:29 AM
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WOW! Great Job.
The bike should be very comfortable. That steel frame with the handlebars level with the seat will be a great combination. You might consider a zero offset seatpost to improve the position of the seat. What tires are you using?
Michael
The bike should be very comfortable. That steel frame with the handlebars level with the seat will be a great combination. You might consider a zero offset seatpost to improve the position of the seat. What tires are you using?
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 05-18-09 at 06:38 AM.
05-18-09, 08:29 AM
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Thanks for the suggestion Michael, it is a bit of a stretch for me, so I've been looking for a smaller version of this frame. The tires are cheap Kendas that I've put a few hundred uneventful miles on so far, but a set of Panaracer Paselas are on the way.
05-18-09, 09:09 AM
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05-18-09, 09:35 AM
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Wow, that is so nice. So you can run 27" wheels on a 700c bike?
05-18-09, 09:49 AM
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I don't think they'll fit on every 700c bike, but this one was made to fit chubby hybrid tires, and there was plenty of adjustability in the cantilevers. I'll probably go to 700c eventually, but I wanted to use the parts that I had on hand.
