New member from the PNW saying howdy. :)
05-22-15, 11:55 PM
#1
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New member from the PNW saying howdy. :)
Wow, knowing thousands upon thousands of people are going to be reading my introduction really kind puts the pressure on me to write something interesting, huh? I keed I keed. 
Seriously though, hi everyone. I've used this forum as a lurker for a while now researching several different bike related projects I was doing. Finally decided to join up tonite.
Anyway about me: I basically worked as a mechanic from around 81-89 in several different shops on the east coast, as well as two on west coast after I moved there in '85, then abruptly quit the business and riding altogether.
About a year ago I decided to get back into riding and decided to get my wife and I a couple of used mtbs. Using my (admittedly outdated) knowledge as a mechanic and Google, I bought a couple basic models on CL - a Schwinn High Plains ($45) for me, and a similar Schwinn ($50) for my wife, then found a LBS that rents their facilities for $10 an hour.
It was nice to have access to the racks and tools at the shop, plus getting the occasional question I might have answered by a mechanic, since I had forgotten a lot. I brought the bikes there to do some basic adjustments & repack the bearings, and since both are early 90's models, their technology is pretty similar to what I was familiar with back in the day, which helped a lot. Oh and I put street tires on both bikes as well, which I prefer to ride on since we're really just light trail and street riders.
Anyway here it is a year later, and I've also added a (to me) killer '98 Rock Hopper that I picked up again on CL for $75. It was cheap because it was missing it's wheels, so through some wheeling and dealing found a really nice used setfor it, much nicer than what came on it from the factory. Also swapped out it's very used seat for another used one with alloy rails. And I've changed out the stem as well, and a few other parts.
My wife I ride at least a couple times a week now, mostly 10-20 miles, but have also done a couple of 45 mile all day rides we really enjoyed. Doing one this Memorial Day again in fact.
Lastly I should mention my main interest is non-suspension chro-moly framed bikes - I really like the early mtbs from the 80's and 90's in particular. And I love how you can buy older high quality bikes now for next to nothing compared to what they sold for new. My Rock Hopper as it's currently set up would've cost well over a $1k when it was new, but I have only about $130 invested in it. Since basic entry level bikes - that is bikes bought at an actual BS - these days run around $300, I stick to buying used. Also I enjoy the challenge of putting something nice together for very little $.
So I guess thats about it, thanks for reading my long introduction! Looking forward to posting in this forum.
Seriously though, hi everyone. I've used this forum as a lurker for a while now researching several different bike related projects I was doing. Finally decided to join up tonite.
Anyway about me: I basically worked as a mechanic from around 81-89 in several different shops on the east coast, as well as two on west coast after I moved there in '85, then abruptly quit the business and riding altogether.
About a year ago I decided to get back into riding and decided to get my wife and I a couple of used mtbs. Using my (admittedly outdated) knowledge as a mechanic and Google, I bought a couple basic models on CL - a Schwinn High Plains ($45) for me, and a similar Schwinn ($50) for my wife, then found a LBS that rents their facilities for $10 an hour.
It was nice to have access to the racks and tools at the shop, plus getting the occasional question I might have answered by a mechanic, since I had forgotten a lot. I brought the bikes there to do some basic adjustments & repack the bearings, and since both are early 90's models, their technology is pretty similar to what I was familiar with back in the day, which helped a lot. Oh and I put street tires on both bikes as well, which I prefer to ride on since we're really just light trail and street riders.
Anyway here it is a year later, and I've also added a (to me) killer '98 Rock Hopper that I picked up again on CL for $75. It was cheap because it was missing it's wheels, so through some wheeling and dealing found a really nice used setfor it, much nicer than what came on it from the factory. Also swapped out it's very used seat for another used one with alloy rails. And I've changed out the stem as well, and a few other parts.
My wife I ride at least a couple times a week now, mostly 10-20 miles, but have also done a couple of 45 mile all day rides we really enjoyed. Doing one this Memorial Day again in fact.
Lastly I should mention my main interest is non-suspension chro-moly framed bikes - I really like the early mtbs from the 80's and 90's in particular. And I love how you can buy older high quality bikes now for next to nothing compared to what they sold for new. My Rock Hopper as it's currently set up would've cost well over a $1k when it was new, but I have only about $130 invested in it. Since basic entry level bikes - that is bikes bought at an actual BS - these days run around $300, I stick to buying used. Also I enjoy the challenge of putting something nice together for very little $.
So I guess thats about it, thanks for reading my long introduction! Looking forward to posting in this forum.
Last edited by exmechanic89; 05-23-15 at 12:04 AM.
05-23-15, 03:49 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
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Hey exmechanic89,
Hello and Welcome to Bike Forums from a Texas road rider.
Hello and Welcome to Bike Forums from a Texas road rider.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
05-23-15, 04:20 AM
#3
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Welcome to Bike Forums!
Depending on how you use it, there is lots of love for old mountain bikes in our Classic & Vintage, Commuting, and Touring forums.
Depending on how you use it, there is lots of love for old mountain bikes in our Classic & Vintage, Commuting, and Touring forums.
