ggpepper

" Very soft and tacky, yet they don't seem to get dirty."
Yea, they get real 'tacky' during our Austin summers. At least my sweaty old hands don't slip around too much.
I really admire all your bikes, very stylish and simple.

TejanoTrackie 

TimothyH

^^

What type of grass is that?

It's not Bermuda. They don't use Bermuda in Texas?

Get rid of that clover and it would be 10/10.

TejanoTrackie 

SquidPuppet

TT, that bell is huge, hilarious, and cool.

phobus

Well, there is a geared bikes thread... just sayin'.

coffinjewel

It's in there just without panniers on it, it's not pretty yet though I'm trying not to go too nuts with upgraditis yet.

Ps. I like everyones style in these last few posts Wald baskets and upright bars are most deffinetly the cat's pajamas.

SquidPuppet

TimothyH

Been looking at this thread on and off and it has helped me realize how much I really need a townie - three speed with basket.

I live 0.7 mile from the stores/bank/post office/hair cut/UPS and sometimes walk. It would be nice to pedal without needing special shoes, etc.

SquidPuppet

If you really want comfy, get an older bike with slack geometry. It works better when sitting upright. Since you are mechanically talented and have the tools, it would be really easy for you to build a total custom. You already have a good powder shop available. I think you'd enjoy the restoration process. It's fun and satisfying. Start with a $75.00 beater from craigslist and have at it. Remove braze-ons, or add some, tweak this and mod that. Powder the basket to match, or a nice accent color. Shopping would be really fun because it's a whole different world for you to explore. Bosco or north road or promenade bars? Or maybe Scout bars? Lots of beautiful and elegant components to help you create the look you want. Quill stems, rims with eyelets, funky grips and brake levers.

Riding Townies is like grabbing a quiet coffee with your oldest friend vs a loud rapid heart rate carbon fiber discotheque. Both are cool, but it's nice to go slow sometimes.

The C&V forum has thread dedicated to English 3-speeds and it's very active.

TimothyH

It doesn't even have to be a vintage looking thing or some amazingly beautiful design. Of course I want it to be nice but it just has to be something I could ride to get a loaf of bread or run to the post office.

Not really sure to where to start actually and will probably look at the C&V forum. Thanks for the encouragement.

phobus

I suggest you start looking around your local CL, offerup, and facebook marketplace. Early this year I picked up a 1990 Fuji hybrid for $50 for basically the same purpose. It was everything I could want - lugged chromoly frame, horizontal dropouts, 700c wheels, canti brakes, plenty of room for tires and fenders. Of course, for $50, it was also tired and rusty.

I threw a few parts at it, and it's good enough to follow the kids around the neighborhood or take the dog out for a run around the block. But it still looks like a rusty basketcase, which is why I haven't posted it in here yet.

Anyway, for inspiration, you might like Rivendell's staff bike pages (no, really). There's a lot of neat townie builds there with a combination of functional elegance, willingness to mix new and vintage parts, and occasional bit of whimsy that appeals to me.

Gresp15C

Indeed, both of my kids have gotten into riding funky old bikes, and have chosen aesthetics that I would never choose for myself, but it's fun to see them develop their own personal tastes.

I'm just there to provide tools, advice if requested, and to make sure it's safe.

AlmostTrick

This Ted Williams Free Spirit 3 speed was found in the trash last year. All I did was give it a complete once over. It is VERY clean and rides nice! It even came with what appears to be custom made saddle bags.

TimothyH

What is likely to happen is that I'll start with the idea to get a used townie off Craigslist and somehow, when it is all done, it will be a 2019 Argon 18 Gallium Pro with Campy Super Record EPS and Bora wheels.


-Tim-

Gresp15C

Hey, you're among friends. And it's always interesting to see how folks approach (re)constructing a bike. One of the things I like about the SSFG "subculture" is that there's a lot of tolerance and mutual encouragement for different levels of gear and physical ability.

Gresp15C

"The thrill is in the pursuit."

phobus

... but with a basket!

phobus

Since you asked, here's a picture from this morning's trip around the neighborhood with the dogs:



It's a 1990 Fuji Del Rey CX. All I've really done to it is convert to SS to replace the worn-out rusty original drivetrain, and swap out the pedals, handlebar, and saddle. I also added a bell, of course.

Gresp15C

Nice! Check out Show Off Your Townies, post 1529, you'll see that we're kindred spirits.

SquidPuppet

+1

@TimothyH I agree with Phobus. You strike me as the type of guy that would appreciate the Rivendell style of bike.

Tell me this aint puuuurty.

Gresp15C

Vertical dropouts. Next.

SquidPuppet

Oh my, that's lovely.

TimothyH

@AlmostTrick, that Free Spirit is nice. I'll give you a hundred bucks for it.

Rivendell is great and all and really pretty but that Grant guy. I don't know.

I'll probably start with something like this... https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/b...631054010.html

This one is too big but has my eye... https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/b...605067976.html


-Tim-

SquidPuppet

Something to consider about sizing. Generally, for an upright riding position you will want a bigger frame than your drop bar bike. Especially top tube length, because of the swept back handlebar. Find a way to experiment with your current bikes or see if you can borrow someones townie or hybrid to get an idea. You can try to fix that with a long stem or forward position mustache bars, but then you are bending forward and defeating the upright riding position. My recommendation would be to get the biggest frame that your inseam will allow. Quill stems go up and down quickly and easily and swept back bars can be trimmed to give you a custom fit.

The Schwinn in the add is not one of the two models he suggests it may be. It's an electrogorged Speedster. Be aware that Schwinn used some oddball proprietary sizing for headsets, stems, seat posts, rims and hubs. That said, I'd be happy to help source NEW, high quality replacements. Either vintage style or modern style if you prefer, at very reasonable prices. The Speedster is a perfect candidate for a 650b conversion due to it's geometry and stock wheel size. Plenty of fantastic tires out there for 650b too. It would need cold setting of the rear triangle and forks to accommodate a change in hubs. The fork ends would need to be opened up a little as well to accommodate a 9mm or 3/8" axle. All of that is super easy if you wanna go for it. I've done it.

Coincidentally, the 1977 red Speedster in the add is exactly what I started with to make my brown bike.

Started with this...







After some cutting and grinding and a few dings on my wallet, I ride this...