hueyhoolihan

i met a couple of strangers while out cycling the other day. both over 60, i suspect. he was a very experienced international cycling tourist and she was just a beginner.

he mentioned that the bike she had was awful; heavy, wrong size, ineffecient. anyway, i talked with them for a few minutes, then went on my way. but on the way home, i ran into them again and it immediately occurred to me, that having about 9 bikes, being way, way too many, i should just offer her one.

i should mention i have ridden SS almost exclusively for the last 15 years, and didn't consider that a SS bike might be inappropriate for her. but i offered one of mine without thinking and she accepted, and then referred me to him as far as any details were concerned, so i arranged to meet him this weekend with my offering. nothing more was discussed.

when i got home i had an idea in mind as to which bike i would choose, but upon reflection, i realized that the one i had in mind would be too large for her (i had asked about her height during the brief conversation we had had). so i had to choose another one, so, as unlikely as it may seem, i decided to give away my most expensive bike, the one i circumnavigated (edit) the U.S and commuted on for a number of years. it's a custom titanium job made for 650c wheels with titanium main tubes and reynold 753 rear triangle (chromed) and a kenesis fork, set up with mostly American Classic parts. i don't much care for it anymore, in that i've found it way too flexible whilst climbing out of the saddle.

but while looking at it, it was clear to me that it was entirely inappropriate for a beginner. so it was into the closet to see if i could redo it as a beginners bike...

first, it was off with the carbon bars and on with the steel, slightly pulled back flat bars, i then added a second brake lever (i only use a front brake), and added a non-matching rear brake (vintage shimano 600) caliper. i replaced the White Industries Eno Eccentric rear 650c wheel with a shimano Acera MTB wheel (this bike can run either) and swapped out the front White Industries 650c wheel with the original American Classic (one of the very few original components i specified when built), front wheel. i then pulled the straight carbon saddle for bigger, fatter, padded one i found on a bike tossed into a nearby dumpster.

now it was time for the drivetrain...

the bike was originally designed for a single chainring up front, but i had a 50t 1/8" chainring on there. not good, but i found a 39t 3/32" one in my parts box and put it on. i also had a number of 3/32" chains and i swapped it in for the 1/8" chain i had on there. then i dug around and found the old suntour friction shifter and mounted it on the titanium welded boss. i happened to have saved, and found , the old cable, and short piece of cable housing with the fitting still attached , so that was good. i used an old suntour cyclone derailluer that could handle a 30t cog with a bit of the high gear limit boss filed off.

i then had to decide on gearing, hmmm. the wheel had shimano freehub, and i had a lot of spacers and single shimano cogs, so i decided to use 6 cogs, 16-30 with athe sugino 39t chainring and MTB wheels. for an over 50, adult beginner, female cyclist, this should be adequate. and lack of a front derailleur should be an advantage not a drawback, IMO. BTW, this bike, as previously mentioned, did a 20,000km tour around the U.S with only 7 cogs in back and a single chainring. so as one might assume, i'm not a proponent of a lot of gears, just a minimum of useful ones.

oh, and i took off my eggbeaters and put on an old pair of quill pedals i had lying around. no reason for her to have to buy anything new in order to ride the bike, if she even rides it at all. she can deal with that, if and when it becomes and issue for her.

anyway, this took about 8 hours (between, getting up and down, and losing track of tools, having to rethink things a few times, not to mention having to coordinate the use of about three pairs of glasses , i don't get results as fast as i used to).

i'll give it a shakedown ride to the coffee shop today, just to test out the shifting, and then call it good to go. hope she likes it. we'll see.

jefnvk

My bikes aren't all that suitable for me, if you have any other titanium bikes you need to dispose of. I prefer something in the 57-58 range, and don't worry about equipping it, just post me the frame and I'll take care of it from there

If it gets her biking and doesn't put you out, though, good job!

CliffordK

It sounds like a fun project. Building/Tuning a bike can take a lot more time than one would like.

I hope the bike turns out to be good for her needs.

jefnvk

On second thought...

If the guy is an experienced world tourer, why does the lady have a pile of crap bike? And secondly, if I gave them a nice titanium bike for free, do I have any expectation that it actually gets used, and not just listed on CL when they realize what they have?

hueyhoolihan

you're at the head of a line. but, i'm afraid the cashier is either on an indefinite break or has resigned. besides, i'm fresh out of titanium bikes!

hueyhoolihan

funny, i just got back from a test ride. and boy, oh, boy is this thing comfortable. it just begs to ridden at 10mph .

the only thing it needs is a handlebar mounted friction thumbie in place of the downtube shifter. it's much too far away from the, above the saddle, handlebars.

hueyhoolihan

i think they may just be friends.

i suppose craigslist is a possibility, but i prefer to give my possessions, those with sentimental value anyway, away (bequeath them so to speak) rather than put myself through the indignity of bartering with a stranger as to their monetary value.

this does not extend to real estate or motorized vehicles, BTW.

jefnvk

Fair enough. Not necessarily a view I share, but to each their own, and more than likely your way is going to leave someone incredibly happy!

fietsbob

Had people finish a long tour declaring "I never Want to see this bike again " once they reached the Coast.

mwalsh5757

I think that is a wonderful perspective. Well done.

Hardrock23

I agree.

I hope she enjoys it!

Paul Barnard

Good onya for what you did. I can see myself doing something like that. I have a few kayaks that are on permanent loan.

TimothyH

This is very virtuous of you and speaks to your character.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth but treasure in heaven.

Think of the joy you will bring to this couple as they ride together. It is really nice to see generous people in this age of 4000 square foot homes and 6000 lb personal vehicles.


-Tim-

Zurichman2

I finished RAAM on a 4 man team and still liked my bike. I did take a couple of days off though as I flew to Aussie Land the same day.

Zman

rgconner

Pay it forward.

Good on ya!