Buglady

I am now the proud owner of 3 bikes. A couple of years ago I would have told you you were nuts to even think about ONE bike

I just bought a pair of Raleigh "City Tourer" bikes from a co-worker. He and his wife just bought new bikes - Giant cruiser for her, Specialized hybrid (I think, haven't seen it but that's the description) for him - and decided the older bikes needed new homes. They are 5 and 6 speed respectively, with fenders, racks and lights. Nice basic bikes!

I am thinking that one of them can be a "house bike" for guests to use, or my housemate if she ever actually goes outside (I think she's turning into a bat) and the other one will become my backup commuter. I'm also considering buying an Xtracycle conversion kit so I will see whether one of the Raleighs would work well for that or if I should convert my Norco (or acquire another bike!! Whee!)

Now I have to figure out where to put them Parking one bike in the living room was OK, but I suspect 3 may become a bit of a sticking point. It's either clear ou the shed time, or go sweet talk the neighbour with the 3 car garage and 1 vehicle...

The Boy's parents have some older touring-style bikes in their garage too. I'll probably end up adding those to the fleet at some point!

Oh, and I'm signing up for a bike-maintenance class, otherwise this could get expensive!

East Hill

If you manage to snag the touring-style bikes, please post photos in the Classic & Vintage forum . We know what true addiction is over there .

East Hill

alicestrong

We could certainly have less healthy and more expensive addictions...

Did you post pictures of the bikes yet? I'd love to see them...

East Hill

Not only that, but if we could get you suckered into the vintage bike thing, then there'd be three women regulars! Except that you are probably all taller than I am .


East Hill

alicestrong

But that's good...we can pass along the small frames to you!

geo8rge

Now I have to figure out where to put them

Get Folding bikes. Hang them from the walls as art works.

Buglady

Is that a bad thing?? *self-consciously tries not to look so tall*

East Hill

No, it's just been hard to scare those tiny higher end frames out into the open. But I've had so much help from the generous folks in the Classic & Vintage forum that it has restored my faith in humanity to a certain degree.

The C & V forum, along with the General Cycling forum, are possibly the two most civil forums on the entire board--just one of the many reasons why I enjoy the C & V forum .

East Hill

Buglady

YIKES! I just found another bike in the shed! (while attempting to make space for the OTHER 3). It's a Norco Katmandu, a bit rusty but everything still moves well. It looks to be geared quite low so I am thinking that this may become my Xtracycle frame. I think it is a steel frame. I've washed it off, going to lube up the chain and fill the tires, then I'll test it out. I may come looking for some "how to get rust off the cassette" tips... the chain and all the sprockets are in good shape as far as I can tell, other than that light coating of rust. There's no visible wear or damage. I think it's just been sitting there in the shed for several years. The Boy thinks it belonged to a former roommate.

This brings the official count to:

• 1 Norco Pinnacle (2006) - my primary bike.
• 2 Raleigh City Tourers (1984)
• 1 Proflex 750 in dire need of much help (The Boy's old bike, not ridden for at least 5 years, not much on it is moving)
• 1 Norco Katmandu just found

I'd really better get SOMEONE else riding around here....

East Hill

All right, we'll need some photos of those City Tourers AND the Proflex 750 (there's a vintage mountain bike thread in C & V) over in the C & V forum, or alicestrong and I will have to come to Calgary and annoy you in person.

Rust--oxalic acid. Do a search for 'oxalic' and confine the search to the Classic & Vintage forum.

East Hill