Convertible Bicycles
09-28-07 | 07:45 PM
#1
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Convertible Bicycles
The thread about our first bicycles prompted this one ....
My first bicycle (at the age of 6, back in the early 1970s) was a convertible bicycle. By this I mean that it was designed so that the top tube could be removed or replaced as desired, thus converting it from a "girl's bicycle" to a "boy's bicycle".
Did any of you have a convertible bicycle when you were a kid, too? Have you heard of them? Have you seen any recently?
My first bicycle (at the age of 6, back in the early 1970s) was a convertible bicycle. By this I mean that it was designed so that the top tube could be removed or replaced as desired, thus converting it from a "girl's bicycle" to a "boy's bicycle".
Did any of you have a convertible bicycle when you were a kid, too? Have you heard of them? Have you seen any recently?
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09-28-07 | 08:15 PM
#2
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Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
I never had one. I have seen them, but not recently.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-29-07 | 04:49 PM
#4
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: arlington, VA
The thread about our first bicycles prompted this one ....
My first bicycle (at the age of 6, back in the early 1970s) was a convertible bicycle. By this I mean that it was designed so that the top tube could be removed or replaced as desired, thus converting it from a "girl's bicycle" to a "boy's bicycle".
Did any of you have a convertible bicycle when you were a kid, too? Have you heard of them? Have you seen any recently?
My first bicycle (at the age of 6, back in the early 1970s) was a convertible bicycle. By this I mean that it was designed so that the top tube could be removed or replaced as desired, thus converting it from a "girl's bicycle" to a "boy's bicycle".
Did any of you have a convertible bicycle when you were a kid, too? Have you heard of them? Have you seen any recently?
09-30-07 | 12:52 PM
#5
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From: Northern Nevada
I've seen 'em, but the only advantage is cosmetic--a guy didn't have to ride a "girl's" bike, but he got the inherent weakness of the no-top-tube frame plus the extra weight of a piece that didn't do anything (I guess it may have stiffened things a little, but I dunno that you could call it structural member)
10-01-07 | 07:26 PM
#6
Boy Jim’s bike sure looks like my first bike. I still remember trying to take of the training wheels myself when my Dad was out of town on a business trip. I only manage to get one off and road that way with one on and one off for weeks.
The most memorable part of that bike was trying to keep the top tube on (otherwise I would be riding a sissy girl’s bike) and every time I hit a good sized bump the dang thing would come off (I think a screw was striped.) One day I am going down this hill at a good clip and hit this bump really hard, the top tube goes straight up and hits me in the chin which starts it to spin causing the other end to hit me on top of the head on its way up. Then on the way down it repeats the process in reverse. That’s when I started my campaign for a faster bike… a three speed.
The most memorable part of that bike was trying to keep the top tube on (otherwise I would be riding a sissy girl’s bike) and every time I hit a good sized bump the dang thing would come off (I think a screw was striped.) One day I am going down this hill at a good clip and hit this bump really hard, the top tube goes straight up and hits me in the chin which starts it to spin causing the other end to hit me on top of the head on its way up. Then on the way down it repeats the process in reverse. That’s when I started my campaign for a faster bike… a three speed.
11-04-07 | 02:50 AM
#7
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From: arlington, VA
I've seen 'em, but the only advantage is cosmetic--a guy didn't have to ride a "girl's" bike, but he got the inherent weakness of the no-top-tube frame plus the extra weight of a piece that didn't do anything (I guess it may have stiffened things a little, but I dunno that you could call it structural member)
