2017 Inexpensive Tour Bike (and tour) Build contest!
01-19-17, 04:40 AM
#101
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That's a good lookin' frame you have there, Happy!
I am doing good on my bike so far. Not far from being finished and I must say it's not going to be that weird bike I thought it was going to be. I think it's looking pretty good actually. More pictures later.
I am doing good on my bike so far. Not far from being finished and I must say it's not going to be that weird bike I thought it was going to be. I think it's looking pretty good actually. More pictures later.
01-19-17, 09:49 AM
#102
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Thanks Will.
I finally hit a bit of a snag when the old rim I'm using for the front shows a spoke that's a bit crooked. Upon closer inspection it wants to pull through the single wall steel. I'm going to use it for now because it's a match for the rear coaster hub but am also looking to a backup alloy rim. Just don't know if I want mismatch or maybe go crazy and make it a 1X5 with two alloy rims.
And pics are a must!
I finally hit a bit of a snag when the old rim I'm using for the front shows a spoke that's a bit crooked. Upon closer inspection it wants to pull through the single wall steel. I'm going to use it for now because it's a match for the rear coaster hub but am also looking to a backup alloy rim. Just don't know if I want mismatch or maybe go crazy and make it a 1X5 with two alloy rims.
And pics are a must!
01-19-17, 11:26 PM
#103
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Someone across the alley offered me a bicycle that I accepted. It fits this catagory. My thoughts were for a beater around town bicycle rather than real touring. It will be for my son, who is not a cyclist. 2 miles to work. It's an Xmart special road bicycle, 3x7 so it has pretty low gearing. Shimano deraillers of some sort. side pull brakes are functional. So it is a functional bicycle. He wants it as a flat bar bicycle. There's a co-op in St. Louis so cheap parts should be available. Rear dropouts have eyelets, nothing near the seatpost. So p-clamps or something for a rear rack. I'll take a better look at how the rear brake mounts. I'm thinking something like what Jeffnvk got for brake and shift levers. Currently it has twist shifts which I'm thinking might interfere with the flat bar brakes if I tried to keep them. I've noticed most better bicycles have thumb shifters. My around town has twist grips so I'm okay with them. I'm thinking cheap fenders as well. Blinky lights of course. So! here's my thoughts.
rear rack some way or form.
fenders
"broomstick" hbar
Brake levers
shift levers
cables as necessary
So that's about it! I might even get in under the $100 mark.
Any suggestions?
rear rack some way or form.
fenders
"broomstick" hbar
Brake levers
shift levers
cables as necessary
So that's about it! I might even get in under the $100 mark.
Any suggestions?
01-20-17, 10:02 AM
#105
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It's a single tube from seat post to wheel where it splits to normal 2 chainstays. I'll figure something out. Trying to get my son motivated will be the hardest part.
01-20-17, 01:02 PM
#106
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Salsa (and others) makes a seatpost clamp adapter that has two attachment points for rack arms. Or use P clamps.
01-20-17, 06:44 PM
#107
01-21-17, 11:59 AM
#109
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JUST picked up this '87 Trek 520 Cirrus for $160! It was going to be a flip candidate but WOW! The ride is just superb and other than a little adjustment of the seat, it fit me PERFECTLY!
A semi-appropriate day and pic for the aptly named Cirrus.
A semi-appropriate day and pic for the aptly named Cirrus.
01-21-17, 05:27 PM
#110
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Everyone's bikes are looking quite nice!
Took mine out for another fitment ride in short sleeves on an unseasonally beautiful day, as I have no idea how many more of these I'll have! I tossed on the intended seat and front rack, since I've already purchased them. Also added a representative rack and bags filled with blankets/clothes on both ends. Everything went together nice, handled decent (albeit not much weight in the bags), and felt good. I do need to add a longer, preferably adjustable angle, stem for the trekking bars, but other than that I'm about ready to hit order on the rest of the goodies and be ready for mini-tours in the spring to start shaking everything down!
Took mine out for another fitment ride in short sleeves on an unseasonally beautiful day, as I have no idea how many more of these I'll have! I tossed on the intended seat and front rack, since I've already purchased them. Also added a representative rack and bags filled with blankets/clothes on both ends. Everything went together nice, handled decent (albeit not much weight in the bags), and felt good. I do need to add a longer, preferably adjustable angle, stem for the trekking bars, but other than that I'm about ready to hit order on the rest of the goodies and be ready for mini-tours in the spring to start shaking everything down!
Last edited by jefnvk; 01-21-17 at 05:40 PM.
01-23-17, 07:22 PM
#111
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jefnvk, pass on the advice to hand down your Panniers and upgrade. You are setting such a good example here in the inexpensive bike build. Fix these for the trek.
Sure treat yourself after this trip to Iceland.
-Snuts-
Sure treat yourself after this trip to Iceland.
-Snuts-
01-23-17, 07:49 PM
#112
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Well it's not Sunday but here are some photos anyway.
The bike build up to basic function is complete though I will swap out the seat post for a longer one as this is a little too short. Took the Atlantic for a spin and am happy with the way it rides and stops! (very important). There is a bit of inertia when starting out and then the bike seems to slingshot as it gets up into optimal single speed range. Still on the list are the little details like rack, fenders and lights.
What it is:
What I'm roughly aiming for:
Brooks natural C series bar tape. Funny to wrap drops without worrying about the hoods:
SS coaster brake drivetrain. Note the nice pedals (and drops) from my donor beater bike:
Some blueing detail:
The bike build up to basic function is complete though I will swap out the seat post for a longer one as this is a little too short. Took the Atlantic for a spin and am happy with the way it rides and stops! (very important). There is a bit of inertia when starting out and then the bike seems to slingshot as it gets up into optimal single speed range. Still on the list are the little details like rack, fenders and lights.
What it is:
What I'm roughly aiming for:
Brooks natural C series bar tape. Funny to wrap drops without worrying about the hoods:
SS coaster brake drivetrain. Note the nice pedals (and drops) from my donor beater bike:
Some blueing detail:
01-23-17, 08:40 PM
#113
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I feel as if I have a good line on what to actually spend money on, and what is spending money simply to spend money. Even needing a bit of a clip upgrade, after using the Nashbar panniers on my last trip, I still think they are a great value. They were on the order of about $55, solidly waterproof, and even with my complaints still were fine on smooth road. The Schwinn front ones were a freebie from my uncle, but they hold steady. They'll probably get a third locking clip addition too, though, just for uniformity and peace of mind.
I still think Happy Feet is setting the example, though. I'm simply making my bike suitable, he is working art!
01-23-17, 08:49 PM
#114
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FWIW, my current spreadsheets say I'm on budget to blow the $350 limit by $30-50, assuming a $60 initial value for a bike I already owned. Mostly due to wanting to spec proper, tough tires (double what I've ever spent even for my Pasela touring tires). Then again, if I really wanted to have fun, there's a mostly complete (minus FD and tires) Schwinn Crosscut on CL by me for $15, but that would necessitate relearning the tire market for 700c 
And if all goes well, my tripmate with his Target/Wal-Mart bike will be the real star of the budget touring bike build! Then again, he could make this a trip worth writing home about, too! He should settle the "are big box store bikes tough enough" debate, though.
And if all goes well, my tripmate with his Target/Wal-Mart bike will be the real star of the budget touring bike build! Then again, he could make this a trip worth writing home about, too! He should settle the "are big box store bikes tough enough" debate, though.
Last edited by jefnvk; 01-23-17 at 08:59 PM.
01-23-17, 08:57 PM
#115
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I hope to add some photo's tomorrow. I will focus on how I over came the same problem you encountered this past weekend.
Bed time here in the Lake Head.
-Snuts-
01-23-17, 10:53 PM
#116
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Well, to be fair, rebuilding is my hobby and I have just completed two other tour capable bikes recently so I'm taking the road less traveled with this one, even growing a handlebar moustache to complete the package for my Victoria Day weekend ride.
So far I'm into this build for:
Bike: $42
Tires: $40
Bar tape: $50
Saddle: $160
Supplies: $10
TOTAL: $302
I'm not counting pedals and bars as they are a straight swap between this and another bike I'm going to build next.
So far I'm into this build for:
Bike: $42
Tires: $40
Bar tape: $50
Saddle: $160
Supplies: $10
TOTAL: $302
I'm not counting pedals and bars as they are a straight swap between this and another bike I'm going to build next.
01-24-17, 08:16 PM
#117
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Home sick today but felt better in the PM and decided to putter a bit. My task was to make a head badge. In honour of Frank Lenz, my inspiration for the build, and because I can find no info on what manufacturer was behind the Woodwards brand original, I've decided to call this a Lenz Atlantic bike.
I started with my Dremel and a brass blank I had laying around from another project and drew a design I had in mind:
Like a block of marble that is chipped away to reveal the underlying figure I started removing bits:
Until I had what I hoped for:
This is a bit too shiny for my liking as it is so the next step will be to rough up the finish a bit and speed up the tarnishing process and then wipe most of that away again to get a two tone weathered effect.
I started with my Dremel and a brass blank I had laying around from another project and drew a design I had in mind:
Like a block of marble that is chipped away to reveal the underlying figure I started removing bits:
Until I had what I hoped for:
This is a bit too shiny for my liking as it is so the next step will be to rough up the finish a bit and speed up the tarnishing process and then wipe most of that away again to get a two tone weathered effect.
01-25-17, 06:19 AM
#118
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I hope that in the future people look at this thread and try their own hand at adapting whatever they have into some level of a touring bike. The variety of the bikes is encouraging, IMHO. There are a couple of tandems, some mountain bikes, a coaster braked SS, and even a few touring bikes that, even if over budget for this thread, should give excellent service to their owners.
Brad
Brad
01-25-17, 07:16 AM
#119
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You didnt say how you were going to age that head badge. That Super Blue will make a sweet patina on anything copper or bronze. Just sayin' in case you didn't already know.
01-25-17, 08:50 AM
#120
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Part of the reason I sometimes come down less than friendly against those who insist on needing expensive bikes to do anything is taking the opinion of them (and the LBS employees who couldn't be bothered to help unless they seen at least four digit sales on you) kept me out of cycling for a good year and a half when I was thinking about getting into it. Wasn't til I found the C&V forums here, figured out how to buy a decent vintage road bike, and more importantly how to work on it, that I started to enjoy being on a bike much more.
01-25-17, 09:53 AM
#121
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Those are my thoughts too for enjoying this thread. Nothing wrong with expensive or new if you can afford it but definitely not needed to fully enjoy either touring or bicycles in general. You can ride and wrench affordably and still achieve good results.
No control, I did not think about the blue. I've been soaking it in vinegar but will try some when I get home tonight from work.
No control, I did not think about the blue. I've been soaking it in vinegar but will try some when I get home tonight from work.
01-25-17, 10:02 AM
#122
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Following the discussion in this thread a new thread has been created to catalog the contestants of the 2017 Inexpensive Tour Bike (and tour)!
This is the "official" thread to post your bike build and tour information. Since I have arbitrarily decided to end the contest at the end of October 2017, contestants are urged to create a post and edit/update the post so readers can follow (make sure to date your updates!) instead of possibly scrolling through multiple pages for each individual update.
So here are the rules!
That it!
This is the "official" thread to post your bike build and tour information. Since I have arbitrarily decided to end the contest at the end of October 2017, contestants are urged to create a post and edit/update the post so readers can follow (make sure to date your updates!) instead of possibly scrolling through multiple pages for each individual update.
So here are the rules!
- New builds only - this must be a bike that you find or buy off craigslist, ebay, local classifieds etc. This cannot be an existing bike that you have and "sold" it to yourself for $5.
- Total cost limit: $350 (approx half the cost of a new Fuji Touring)
- Includes:
- Must go on at least a weekend tour
- Must post photos from beginning, middle and end of tour
That it!
.
01-25-17, 10:24 AM
#123
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I think I just blew my budget. I picked up a 2016 Fuji touring bike second hand (very low mileage and in great shape) with double sided clipless pedals for $350. No money for bags in the $350 budget but I'm happy with the bike. Even if I figure in the fair market value of the bags I already own, I'm over budget, .
.
Last edited by jefnvk; 01-25-17 at 10:28 AM.
01-25-17, 10:57 AM
#124
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Yep. I don't care what others do with their money, they should do with it what makes them happy, but when they tell me how much I have to spend to have fun, I go into prove them wrong mode.
Rules are meant to be broken! I'm not including anything not bolted on (with the obvious exception of tires and tubes) in the price, even have the costs in separate spreadsheets between bike parts and additional accessories, because no new bike comes with those things. I'm also using the $350 as target rather than a hard rule. I don't care about "winning", because I already do that when I ride it, rather showing what you can do on a budget
Rules are meant to be broken! I'm not including anything not bolted on (with the obvious exception of tires and tubes) in the price, even have the costs in separate spreadsheets between bike parts and additional accessories, because no new bike comes with those things. I'm also using the $350 as target rather than a hard rule. I don't care about "winning", because I already do that when I ride it, rather showing what you can do on a budget