For my son...
02-24-09 | 01:35 PM
#27
is actually asian
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: Leader
I respect that you respect that your son is 18 and can make his own decisions. most of the time it makes it easier for the both eh? Anyways, without saying that a brake debate will or already has insued, I would let him make the decision on his own. If it's realitively flat in that area he can't possibly crash that bad.
02-24-09 | 01:37 PM
#28
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,330
Likes: 5,240
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Apologies in advance for the shoddy cellphone pic. A while ago I built my son a fixed-gear bike using a Motobecane mixte frame I had kicking around (which can be seen leaning against the wall in the pic below.) I just came into this Bianchi Strada LX frame which fits him better, so I upgraded him.
The wheels, pedals, and stem are from my Kilo TT; the saddle is from Nashbar; the cranks are Sugino and it's running 42/16; the bars are some NOS SR randonneur bars.
So. Whadda ya think?
EDIT: Neither the saddle nor bars are adjusted for him yet, and no, the bike is not clamped on the frame.
The wheels, pedals, and stem are from my Kilo TT; the saddle is from Nashbar; the cranks are Sugino and it's running 42/16; the bars are some NOS SR randonneur bars.
So. Whadda ya think?
EDIT: Neither the saddle nor bars are adjusted for him yet, and no, the bike is not clamped on the frame.
02-24-09 | 01:49 PM
#29
BEHOLD! THE MANTICORE!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 2
From: 54914
Very decent of you iamtim! Great build/upgarade too! 
Carlovahnsexron, heres something that will fry your noodle, we gave each one of our 2 daughters a car when they turned 18, the oldest got a 1997 Chevy Cavalier, the youngest got a 2000 VW Beetle, they both said, "Thanks, I appreciate it, but I dont want a car"!
To this day neither one of them drives!
Carlovahnsexron, heres something that will fry your noodle, we gave each one of our 2 daughters a car when they turned 18, the oldest got a 1997 Chevy Cavalier, the youngest got a 2000 VW Beetle, they both said, "Thanks, I appreciate it, but I dont want a car"!
To this day neither one of them drives! 
02-24-09 | 03:01 PM
#31
sucker for lugs
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Denver
Bikes: Shogun 800 (had to cull the herd)
02-24-09 | 04:22 PM
#33
artesc all the way.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Boston, Ma
Bikes: 2008 Redline 925 (bleh!)
Yeah, you need (and I cannot emphasize this enough) a brake. Just yesterday I was skidding to a stop when my lockring and cog unscrewed themselves on the wheel (I had just finished degreasing/cleaning everything and apparently hadn't locked them down tight enough). Let me tell you, it's a scary feeling having lost complete control of the bike, especially when you are heading into a busy intersection. Needless to say, I clamped my brake down and almost did an endo, kept my balance and, most importantly, didn't die (which is always a plus in my book).
02-24-09 | 04:29 PM
#34
niteridar
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: sfbay area
Bikes: giant fixed gear and a cannondale road bike
unless your son will be riding his bike in an empty parking lot...he should run a brake. and since the bike is a gift from you....you should ask him if he doesnt want to run a brake, then why should he deserve a bike.
02-24-09 | 05:00 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 573
Likes: 53
From: Venice, FL
Bikes: 1986 Schwinn LeTour, 1977 Raleigh Super Course (converted to fixed gear), 199X GT outpost
Because seatposts are much thicker/stronger than the frame, so if you or somebody else bumps into it while it's on the stand, or decides to torque something down, there's minimal chance of bending anything, whereas sub 1mm tubing isn't designed to take much twisting from unusual angles.
Thanks for the info, bigvegan.
02-24-09 | 06:32 PM
#36
Eats Rice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Bikes: Motobecane Fantom Trail DS - Gary Fisher Tass Genesis - Genius CGX Starling - Old School Redline Proline - EightInch Scrambler FG/SS
Good job! I too built a bike for my 12 yr old son and we have a blast cruising around.
<edit> Oh and as far as the brake goes...if he's living under your roof the brake goes on...
<edit> Oh and as far as the brake goes...if he's living under your roof the brake goes on...
02-24-09 | 07:01 PM
#37
chickenosaurus
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2010 Motobecane Team Track, 1997 GT Edge, 2012 Kilo TT Stripper
as for the brake, I would put it on for him, but if he takes it off, so be it. Make sure its a cross lever, they look cleaner than aero brake levers. If I had a cross lever, I'd run one with my drops, but alas, no money=no brake. I hope my dad gets me something nearly as good for my 18th (in march)
02-24-09 | 07:10 PM
#38
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 4
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane Vent Noir; 2016 Mercier Kilo TT Pro
The finished product!
I actually got him to assent to a brake; oddly enough he doesn't like the cross lever and wants me to replace it with a Dura Ace aero lever I have in the garage. I'll happily do that, but since it takes a retape of the bars and I *just* finished the bike, that'll come later.
I actually got him to assent to a brake; oddly enough he doesn't like the cross lever and wants me to replace it with a Dura Ace aero lever I have in the garage. I'll happily do that, but since it takes a retape of the bars and I *just* finished the bike, that'll come later.
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02-24-09 | 07:48 PM
#40
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,054
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Bikes: 2012 Motobecane Vent Noir; 2016 Mercier Kilo TT Pro
At 18, *I* don't want his line to go on. After he leaves my house and has a "2" in front of his age, well, then he's free to do whatever he wants with his line. 
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02-24-09 | 07:53 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 147
Likes: 5
The finished product!
I actually got him to assent to a brake; oddly enough he doesn't like the cross lever and wants me to replace it with a Dura Ace aero lever I have in the garage. I'll happily do that, but since it takes a retape of the bars and I *just* finished the bike, that'll come later.
I actually got him to assent to a brake; oddly enough he doesn't like the cross lever and wants me to replace it with a Dura Ace aero lever I have in the garage. I'll happily do that, but since it takes a retape of the bars and I *just* finished the bike, that'll come later.
02-24-09 | 10:36 PM
#42
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 4
Bikes: 2012 Motobecane Vent Noir; 2016 Mercier Kilo TT Pro
Not a chance! Even my son was like, "and this has all the stuff so I can put gears on it later, right? Right?"
I was... so proud. *sniff* *wipes away a tear*
I was... so proud. *sniff* *wipes away a tear*
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02-25-09 | 11:35 AM
#45
No plan.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 0
From: PA
02-25-09 | 11:37 AM
#46
K2ProFlex baby!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 59
From: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Bikes: to many to list
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You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
03-13-09 | 09:55 PM
#49
Bianchi Fixed
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Here.
Bikes: Bianchi Strada LX Fixed Gear
Haha. Yes. I had him put the brake on. I actually used it today riding to my girlfriend's house. Some dbag decided it'd be fun to notice I was riding and pull out in front of me.
I'd carry huge rocks if I could keep my balance and keep my speed!
I love the bike. I'm verrry happy with it. It rides really nicely.
And even you said -dad- that I can do whatever I want with my 'line' as long as she's over 18 haha!
I'd carry huge rocks if I could keep my balance and keep my speed!
I love the bike. I'm verrry happy with it. It rides really nicely.
And even you said -dad- that I can do whatever I want with my 'line' as long as she's over 18 haha!
Last edited by iamtimsson; 03-13-09 at 10:06 PM.
