Just keep at it. You'll get there. :)

Anyone going to be in the don today?

tam and I are going out at some point today... (finally!)

As a matter of fact, I do. It's a brand new Steelwool.

Hey all. Long time no talk. Or I guess long time no visit on my part.
I got hit by a car about three weeks ago (broken collar bone, and general ouchness all over). Luckily it wasn't my fault so my damages will be paid for. Now that I'm on the mend I'm getting my head back into biking.
Urbane appraised by bike's damages at about 400 with labour. It's a fixed-conversion and I'm wondering if I should just roll that money towards a new bike.
I'm thinking there's no way I could spend the 400 on my current bike without upgrading all the replacement parts, leaving me with probably 600-800 dollars of new parts on a so-so Trek frame.
So I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for a fixed gear I can buy in Toronto (no online) for 1500 or less (hopefully less, but I might go that high if it comes with chick magnets, a seatbelt, or a dog that is leashed to the bike so that when I bike he runs on the sidewalk with me). I've never bought a new bike so I'm not even sure where to start.
TIA

are you santa?

if you're looking for steelcase, just search for metal vintage or steelcase on craigslist. lots of people sell that **** not knowing how rad it is.

also, there's a wicked furniture store at queen/parliament that sells tons of vintage furniture, lots of 50s mad men type ****.

if you want legit midcentury modern, morba on queen is the only place i've found with a well-edited selection.

also, there's a new collective called upside dive (upsidedive.com) that resells vintage finds. they are a new business and thus are very receptive to making their customers happy. i bought a teak bedroom set from them for soooo cheap and i told them to keep me posted on any good finds in the future. i'm sure they'd keep an eye out for any steelcase type stuff for you.

</furniture nerd>

I've seen a lot of that type of furniture at auctions and it actually rarely sells for a high price but perhaps that has changed since I haven't been to an auction since last summer. A lot of the stuff at Morba is really nice, I hope that the trend changes to the steel stuff so that the teak stuff gets cheap again ;)

anyone riding around?

anyone wanna ride and grab a coffee or suttin?

I'm at home with the little guy tonight.

+1 on craigslist or kijiji for steel desks eg.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bfs/831338017.html
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...QAdIdZ70924038
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...QAdIdZ74303281

You might find something at a used office place like Barry's or luck out at a Goodwill.

I could head out for a bit. Just ate a ton of steamed buns so I need to work off the pork.

Whoa! Glad to hear you're alive after all that. Heal up soon... I'll leave it to the normal-heighted people to counsel you on what bike to get, since I haven't had much experience with many models due to my tiny size restrictions.

P.S. First day of Tour de Greenbelt = big fun!

meet at mercury?

time

20 mins? one on queen?

Anyone know where I can pick up a Pedro's Super Pit Kit locally? I want to pick up some better bike cleaning stuff (especially with sloppy cyclocross weather HOPEFULLY right around the corner), and I figure this a good way of getting it all.

n/m... just ordered one via CS@Parliament.

see you there.

Cavit, what were your search terms for those desks? I'm having problems searching for them on CL (didn't try the other site), since I get a bunch of ikea desks with steel sliders or the like

went for an awesome ride at albian today, but the person with was with broke her chain twice in about 10min and we didnt want to risk riding any further to have it happen again, so i did a solo run and just chased the groups ahead down... :D i love the "dude thats hard core, a rigid bike with no gears".

"steel desk" in the general "for sale" section
Here's one I missed.
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/gms/818493152.html

You do have to skim a few to find anything. There's lots of ikea crap on there and other stuff too, but there's a few buried in there. I find Kijiji is a pain in the ass and rarely use it myself.

Hopefully I'm not fat enough that people will see a resemblance...

Its crap that you got hit, but now that you're looking for a new bike, rest assured: there's tons of bikes for under $1500, esp. fixed gear.

The only three fixed gear bikes I've ridden are:
1) Jamis Sputnik -$800
2) Cannondale Capo -$900
3) Miele conversion -$50 :)

In general, the steel bikes (Sputnik and Miele) were more comfortable, and I still have the Miele frame, but sold the Sputnik because it was too small. The Capo is very stiff - you can confirm this with Operator - but will never "rust." I also test rode a Kona Paddy Wagon, but it just didn't feel right; the bike handled very slowly, IMHO.

Also keep in mind what you want the bike for: racing or commuting/utility? That matters a lot, because bikes designed for the latter will have fender and rack eyelets, which are pretty necessary in this city. I know Cycle Solutions sells a Canadian brand called, "Steelwool," which makes a Single Speed / Fixed gear model that has practical frame features (eyelets and easy geo), but it uses an eccentric bottom bracket instead of horizontal track ends.

In short, for 1500 bones you can be ballin' or save some cash and get a practical ride. Your choice.

What model Trek frame did you crash?

Steelwools are hot.

http://cavit8.clawz.com/images/martini.jpg

I'm hosting the long ago promised martini night this coming Thursday. PM to RSVP and to get location details. Probably from around 7:00 PM. I have a shaker and glasses for about 8 although I can get more glasses if need be. I'll have basic fixin's (vermouth, gin, olives, lemon peelings and cocktail onions for you Gibson martini fans). If you want something more esoteric you'll need to bring it. I may get some vodka if there are any vodka martini fans as well. I'll also have some basic party snacks too and stuff for those who'd like to get together but would rather teetotal.

If Fridays work better for folks, let me know although I'd need to postpone it at least a week if we change the day.

Thurs, I can swing by 9ish, Friday no good for me.

With 1500 you could get a custom Marinoni with Miche gruppo. For less there are quite a few options. A Steelwool would be nice also if you're looking at Canadian compagnies.

Thursday good, Friday bad.

Thursday it is then....

I'm a vodka martini man, myself.