Question about buying a road bike for a conversion
02-25-12, 11:24 PM
#76
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So I'm going to somehow remember to reply to everything that's been said so far.
1) When I said I've ridden on and off before that means more than what you think it means. Prior to having my own road bike, I road my xc coaches specialized carbon fiber (i dont remember what model it was) for about 6 months before I gave it back. I started my riding with that bike by climbing hills with my friends who had been biking for a long time, and at the end of the first week a well known mountain called Mt. Diablo. Look it up for those that don't know it. I even pulled a SF to Woodside and back ride after only 3 weeks of riding.
2) For those arguing against being able to find cheap bikes, you are all completely ignorant and far too lazy to realize how blind you are. I posted an ad on craigslist seeking a road bike for my own. A nice lady did in fact reply to me and gave me my current bike for free though my ad was willing to pay up to 150$ for a bike. Albeit it is a vintage Specialized Sirrus (google it it's black and red) and a tad bit too big, I only need to swap the stem with a shorter one and it'll ride well and fit me, it's a 54cm. It even came with SPD pedals. Thank you very much!
3) For the guy who tried to ever so much point out my stupidity when it comes to bikes I thank you for obviously making me seem like a fool. I was blanking out on the word "RIM". That does not make me stupid nor prove that I have a lack of knowledge about bikes. I thank you again.
4) Just because I said my father has tools doesn't mean I'm stupid and don't know how to use them. I know how to use all of them. When I was in 7th grade I stripped an old BMX bike down, repainted it myself with a spray can, then rebuilt the whole bike. On my road bike now, I regularly true my own wheels, change my tires, adjust my derailleurs, and more. I may not be some absolute genius or know every single F'ing term for every god damn part or tool but I know it generally works and how to fix ****. So again I thank you.
5) For everyone pointing out that conversions become more expensive than complete bikes, I disagree. I've been doing a lot of googling and craigslisting, and I've found that many people post parts on CL for almost half price. I can get carbon fiber handlebars for 15$. I've seen it before. A lot of people just don't give a ****, so they sell their stuff for hella cheap.
6) the guy selling the Bianchi Piaggio was willing to give it to me for 35$. Sure it's a pos but where else do you get complete vintage bikes for 35$ besides the scrap yard?
If I missed something let me know. I'll comment on it.
And for those that have been nice enough to offer advice without seeming like stuck up jerks or know it alls I thank you.
PS
7) ah yes why did I come here? I didn't come here to ask you to tell me how to swap the cog or hub or w/e technicality there is. I came to see what people thought, and apparently that's not much since everything is lopsided.
1) When I said I've ridden on and off before that means more than what you think it means. Prior to having my own road bike, I road my xc coaches specialized carbon fiber (i dont remember what model it was) for about 6 months before I gave it back. I started my riding with that bike by climbing hills with my friends who had been biking for a long time, and at the end of the first week a well known mountain called Mt. Diablo. Look it up for those that don't know it. I even pulled a SF to Woodside and back ride after only 3 weeks of riding.
2) For those arguing against being able to find cheap bikes, you are all completely ignorant and far too lazy to realize how blind you are. I posted an ad on craigslist seeking a road bike for my own. A nice lady did in fact reply to me and gave me my current bike for free though my ad was willing to pay up to 150$ for a bike. Albeit it is a vintage Specialized Sirrus (google it it's black and red) and a tad bit too big, I only need to swap the stem with a shorter one and it'll ride well and fit me, it's a 54cm. It even came with SPD pedals. Thank you very much!
3) For the guy who tried to ever so much point out my stupidity when it comes to bikes I thank you for obviously making me seem like a fool. I was blanking out on the word "RIM". That does not make me stupid nor prove that I have a lack of knowledge about bikes. I thank you again.
4) Just because I said my father has tools doesn't mean I'm stupid and don't know how to use them. I know how to use all of them. When I was in 7th grade I stripped an old BMX bike down, repainted it myself with a spray can, then rebuilt the whole bike. On my road bike now, I regularly true my own wheels, change my tires, adjust my derailleurs, and more. I may not be some absolute genius or know every single F'ing term for every god damn part or tool but I know it generally works and how to fix ****. So again I thank you.
5) For everyone pointing out that conversions become more expensive than complete bikes, I disagree. I've been doing a lot of googling and craigslisting, and I've found that many people post parts on CL for almost half price. I can get carbon fiber handlebars for 15$. I've seen it before. A lot of people just don't give a ****, so they sell their stuff for hella cheap.
6) the guy selling the Bianchi Piaggio was willing to give it to me for 35$. Sure it's a pos but where else do you get complete vintage bikes for 35$ besides the scrap yard?
If I missed something let me know. I'll comment on it.
And for those that have been nice enough to offer advice without seeming like stuck up jerks or know it alls I thank you.
PS
7) ah yes why did I come here? I didn't come here to ask you to tell me how to swap the cog or hub or w/e technicality there is. I came to see what people thought, and apparently that's not much since everything is lopsided.
With expectations this big, what could go wrong?!
OK. So, why don't you prove us all wrong and note your timeline and price that you pay for every part and show us the final build and price tag?
Dude, we've been your your HIGHLY OPTIMISTIC position before.
Oh, and since we are all jerks, but HELPFUL jerks, I'll go ahead and point out your first two mistakes:
Albeit it is a vintage Specialized Sirrus (google it it's black and red) and a tad bit too big
1) It's got semi-vertical dropouts.
2) It's too big for you.
I would really like for you to prove me wrong. If you do, I'll pay you the same payout I offer Retro Grouch...and you don't even have to wager. All you have to do is post your prices and final build. Deal?
EDIT: I found the wrong Sirrus. I think you have an older one with quill stem, right?
Last edited by carleton; 02-25-12 at 11:31 PM. Reason: Wrong pic. Fixed.
02-26-12, 12:07 AM
#78
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With expectations this big, what could go wrong?!
OK. So, why don't you prove us all wrong and note your timeline and price that you pay for every part and show us the final build and price tag?
Dude, we've been your your HIGHLY OPTIMISTIC position before.
Oh, and since we are all jerks, but HELPFUL jerks, I'll go ahead and point out your first two mistakes:
1) It's got semi-vertical dropouts.
2) It's too big for you.
I would really like for you to prove me wrong. If you do, I'll pay you the same payout I offer Retro Grouch...and you don't even have to wager. All you have to do is post your prices and final build. Deal?
EDIT: I found the wrong Sirrus. I think you have an older one with quill stem, right?
OK. So, why don't you prove us all wrong and note your timeline and price that you pay for every part and show us the final build and price tag?
Dude, we've been your your HIGHLY OPTIMISTIC position before.
Oh, and since we are all jerks, but HELPFUL jerks, I'll go ahead and point out your first two mistakes:
1) It's got semi-vertical dropouts.
2) It's too big for you.
I would really like for you to prove me wrong. If you do, I'll pay you the same payout I offer Retro Grouch...and you don't even have to wager. All you have to do is post your prices and final build. Deal?
EDIT: I found the wrong Sirrus. I think you have an older one with quill stem, right?
02-26-12, 12:14 AM
#80
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Carleton why even waste your time. I for one know you know what your talking about. But some people just don't get it. You are better served talking to the educated. Cheers brother!
02-26-12, 12:24 AM
#81
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I don't think it's a lack of education; he might have be in grad school, who knows? I think he's just hard headed, knows what he wants, wanted to hear from others what he wanted, and didn't hear it
02-26-12, 12:27 AM
#82
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Wow. This thrad delivers!
My $.02: I have ridden and owned a few fixed gear and track frames. They were cool. Before them I had two conversions that I rode while getting into fixed riding. I sold my first one, a nice Peugeot that I got at a garage sale for $20 (OT: wish i would have left the gears on it and not painted it because it was beautiful) to finance my second, an italian Atala race frame from the late 80s. I put Open Pros and Campy bits on it and it was so nice. I could even fit in CX tires for the winter. Then came the track bikes, because riding a track bike on the street is so scene these days. Fast forward a few years and I am so glad I kept that Atala frame in storage because I decided to sell my track frames. I came the realization that I liked the classic style of old steel frames, quill stems, crowned forks, and silver components. Not to mention that tarck bikes suck to ride in the snow with 23s.
Now,that old conversion is my main ride, and it gets more than 500 miles a month. It does exactly what I want a fixed gear bike to do.
Moral of my cool story (bro): Figger out what exactly you want your bike to do, then buy one that fulfill that need. Ride a crappy $20 craigslist bike while you figure it out.
02-26-12, 12:35 AM
#84
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you can drop the first "e".
having an ego is good for you, btw.
having an ego is good for you, btw.
02-26-12, 02:06 AM
#85
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Freshman in college. UCB. And you're right. I am hard headed. And to fxdgrjedi I agree. I'm not a big fan of the track frames.
02-26-12, 05:56 AM
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@ Santaria: I think the other points have been covered by the OP, but I'll just say that if you factor in time=money you're absolutely right, converting rarely makes any kind of sense. If you see wrenching as a relaxing hobby and have another bike to ride while you do your conversion, the math looks quite different, I mean very few hobbies are free, right?
That being said, building and converting is fun, servicing and maintaining is a necessary evil
That being said, building and converting is fun, servicing and maintaining is a necessary evil
02-26-12, 06:27 AM
#87
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I hope Invictus will report back when he's got his project finished.
02-26-12, 06:45 AM
#88
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Uh - you do realize the OP posted a lady gave him a Specialized Sirrus. IOW - I won. I don't care about your money though, I want your hat.
02-26-12, 09:15 AM
#89
Your cog is slipping.
3) For the guy who tried to ever so much point out my stupidity when it comes to bikes I thank you for obviously making me seem like a fool. I was blanking out on the word "RIM". That does not make me stupid nor prove that I have a lack of knowledge about bikes. I thank you again.
02-26-12, 09:15 AM
#90
Your cog is slipping.
02-26-12, 10:20 AM
#91
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Albeit it is a vintage Specialized Sirrus (google it it's black and red) and a tad bit too big
A decent vintage convertable frame in the SF Bay Area that happens to be this guy's size.
So, if it ended now, I'd win. Would you disagree?
02-26-12, 01:49 PM
#95
Your cog is slipping.
02-26-12, 02:08 PM
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Scrod - beer will be included in my payment for my shifter boss covers next week. #cheers
Carleton - I'll get you your beer in May when you show me and DaMisses Atlanta's bike scene #derp!
02-26-12, 03:22 PM
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BFSSFG sure has its panties in a bunch today. 
OP was polite in his initial posts, and he explicitly said that he is interested in the actual process of a conversion. He wants to wrench on a bike. It's fun for him. Sure, maybe if his primary motivation is cost, then he should look into buying a complete bike, but if the conversion process is notable part of the appeal, it shouldn't just be ignored. At least that's what I gathered from his posts.
OP, I hope you have fun making your conversion.
Part of the reason I wanted to do a conversion was because of the manual effort it takes. [emphasis mine] I tend to be the type of person who pursues success by doing. I want to be able to say I converted this myself and slapped a paint job on there. I'm not afraid of getting down and dirty.
OP, I hope you have fun making your conversion.