I thought this might be helpful to some people.

52 cm EAI Bareknuckle w/


...will post better photos on the next upgrade

-used mismatched 170 cranks [a sugino road and sugino mtb driveside] $10.00
-shimano bb-un54 bottom bracket $15
-threadless aheadset $15
-surly 16 1/8 cog $20
-shimano 16 freewheel $25
-summit 44 1/8 cnc'd aluminum bmx chainring $10
-izumi 1/8 chain eco $25
-suzue jr. flip-flop laced to alexander dr13 rim $100
-generic used front wheel $40
-used cinelli road drops $10
-champ grips $20
-generic new seatpost $20
-wellgo pedals $20
-mks toeclips $20
-used generic stem $5
-Tekpro front brake and lever $40.00
-used bike seat $ree

total components (minus tires n tubes) = 395.00
frame cost= 475.00
pre tax and discount total= 870.00
post = 850.00

all of this was purchased at a LBS, piecemeal, and assembled by yours truly at home.

The frame has had no problems whatsoever. I've had no cracks or bends. The paint has chipped a bit from daily bike lock use. I ride at least 100 miles a week--involving cross-city commutes, some touring, and daily fun. This is my main source of transportation and currently my only bike. The frame has been solid. The components are a frankenstein list but a) they've gotten the job done b) were inexpensive and not altogether flimsy.

changes:
nitto bullhorns $75
selle italia storika saddle $100
godspeed front hub laced to alexander dr13 rim (godpeed is yet another rebadged formula) $90
mks sylvan pedals $35
used minoura clips $20
errebi double laminate $40
different grip tape (i forget the name..its the discontinued 80's mexican x-mas tape type)


...once again, will someday post a good pic

in the mail:
miche primato drivetrain
Tange IRD technoglide headset
Izumi Eco chain

notes:

Except for the handlebars, I've only made upgrades when neccesary--due to fatigue,failure, etc.

I've never used the freewheel and it was an easy hunk to lose. The aheadset is awful and I would never recomend it unless yer okay with occasional repacking. I'd say the same for the rear suzue hub, since it's cup and balls too, but it actually works okay when attended too. The rear wheel has stayed fairly true and has had a minimal amount of maintenance (one rebel spoke needed a quarter turn over this year). The champ grips eventually developed a slime which caused them to move, while at the same time I'd worn their tread away. The wellgo pedals worked well until they began to rust within the bearings and increase the friction; I don't recommend them at all--especially with their width being bad for turning. The MKS leather-wrapped toeclips actually snapped apart on me. The bottom bracket has become well worn and actually has a "dead point"--this is only noticable when hand turning the bracket with the cranks off. The chain ring shows signs of fatigue--both having sharp points as well as spots where the metal has "bunched up." This has made things a bit noisier. The surly cog shows virtually no wear and might remain on this next upgrade. I'm a small person and the rims have performed well...I might forever forgo more quality wheelsets/I might just have to destroy the suzue in order to get sealed cartridge bearings (and then of course match the wheelset). The chain has never faulted, it just seems like a new crankset deserves a new chain.

As for my experience with the bike, I love it and am completely happy with the performance. Though I've listed its hang ups, these problems have very rarely interfered with my riding pleasure. Also, its been a blast to work on.

Thanks for this review mate! Absolutely helpful,so much more so than any pie joke. I've been considering a review only thread on this sub-forum.

+1

I think the tape is called Bennoto

What is that on your top tube? A pipe clamp?

i love the flipped photo of the bike hanging upside down, that took me a minute

yeah, i was going to ask him what in god's name was going on with the chain...but then i realized....

is that bike upside down? hooks near wheels.

Watch out for those dr13s. Hopefully they've fixed the problem I encountered with them:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...39&postcount=6

...yeah the bike is upside down.

I haven't had that problem with the dr13's but I really appreciate the note; I myself have been waiting for them to blowout. They're totally cheap but as of yet they've stayed true and effective. And yeah, that's a clamp I scavenged from a hardware store sale for $10 bucks as a non-kashimax top-tube protector.

I noticed that san fran was upside down before I realized the wheels were not touching anything other than hooks.

ouch! that's a serious farkup.