For the life of me, I cannot pinpoint the moment I got a new bike. But as I was replacing the bottom-bracket and cranks on what I consider to be a three-year old bike I realized that not one part from the original bike is currently on the bike, today. The transformation happened gradually over time. New this, new that. Even when I got a new frame, I didn’t consider it a “new bike” because most of the bits and pieces from the old frame transferred over. So here is the rundown:

Original:

Frame: 80’s Univega
Cranks: Sugino Cheapies
BB: old ball and cup w/ new spindle
Wheels: CXP22 w/ surly hubs
Headset: SR 1” threaded
Bars: Swap meet Cowhorns
Chain Ring/Cog: Rocket 45t/Sun Tour 16t

Current:

Frame: Surly Steamroller
Cranks: Sugino 75s 170mm
BB: IRD 69/110 sealed
Wheels: Velocity Fusion w/ IRO Hubs
Headset: Chris King 1-1/8”
Bars: Same swap meet, different Cowhorns
Chain Ring/Cog: Sugino 49t/Soma 18t
Brake: looks the same, but it's the other half of the set


Pics:

Before:



After:

That's how those of us on a budget have to do it! I'm in the process of turning a Schwinn Le Tour into a Surly LHT, so I know what that's all about...

For a second there i thought that surly was a pic of mine. Nice ride.

So you have the parts to build a second bike now right?

The reason I think the whole process was a bit of a surprise, was that I never went out with the intent to upgrade anything. All of the changes were of necessity. Wheels were trashed in a wreck along with the front fork, seat broke, handlebars got bent on a cab door, pedals crapped out, and the chainring around the bolts and cranks started ovaling out leaving a lot of play. So I guess if I wanted a bum bike maybe I could do that.

BR-I am, however, going through a similar metamorphosis on the CX bike. That one is completely gratuitous.

There is a girl here in san marcos riding a surly fixie who has the black tape around the cross bar like you do and the same paint job with blue bars...odd, eh?